I think I have my first broody. She's been in the nest since yesterday afternoon. She's an 8 mos old BO. I only have 3 pullets right now and a cockerel with space for up to 12 birds I think. I ordered 4 pullets that are coming in 4 weeks. How does this broody thing wor exactly. Will she still be laying and collecting her clutch for a while yet or does the 3 weeks incubation start now? I have no idea how many if any at all she has under her. I'm fairly certain my eggs are fertile. I'm wondering if I can add the chicks I've ordered to her group if hers hatch around the time I receive the new ones. I have a 4ft dog kennel in the coop right now that I was planning to use as a brooder for the chicks I ordered. Should I move mama and her best there with food and water and figure out something else for the other chicks?
Here are a few sites that may be helpful
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/broody-hens
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/guide-to-letting-broody-hens-hatch-and-raise-chicks
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/encouraging-or-discouraging-broodiness-in-your-hens