Moved broody hen PROBLEM

[cinderelly99]

Hi all

Moved my first time broody bantam this morning as she was nesting in an unsafe spot and shares the coop with 6 other hens and a rooster. Made her a nesting box in a dog kennel out on our enclosed porch and moved her about an hour ago and she hasn't sat on the eggs since. I put a blanket over the kennel thinking she's probably stressed but no change. When should I worry? Not sure how I can really intervene as my incubator is full and on day 10 and these are around day 15 I believe. All I have at the moment is a heat lamp that I could try to use if she doesn't go back to sitting on them but I'm torn on how much longer to give her.

Thanks!

 

[nchls school]

Hi all

Moved my first time broody bantam this morning as she was nesting in an unsafe spot and shares the coop with 6 other hens and a rooster. Made her a nesting box in a dog kennel out on our enclosed porch and moved her about an hour ago and she hasn't sat on the eggs since. I put a blanket over the kennel thinking she's probably stressed but no change. When should I worry? Not sure how I can really intervene as my incubator is full and on day 10 and these are around day 15 I believe. All I have at the moment is a heat lamp that I could try to use if she doesn't go back to sitting on them but I'm torn on how much longer to give her.

Thanks!

Immediately, put the hen and eggs back to the original spot

 

[Painted Calls]

What about her spot was unsafe? Was she being picked on?

I let my broodies stay in the coop with everyone else. Sometimes I'll fashion a HC divider around them, but I rarely need to do that.

In my experience, it is almost impossible to get them to accept being moved once they've chosen a spot.

 

[nchls school]

If at all possible fence in her nest where it is. Since its day 15 it's best to leave her to finish incubating where she was. If it's absolutely necessary to move the broody, do so after dark. If the whole nest can be moved-great-if not then try to make the new nest as much like the old as possible. Good luck.

 

[cinderelly99]

We have a pretty mean rooster- well a great rooster in terms of rooster behavior but I was worried about him attacking the chicks as he is very attached to this hen. I was able to move the whole nest but she's just not having it so I will move them back and see if she goes back to the nest in it's original spot.

 

[cinderelly99]

Wanted to give an update- 12 out of 13 eggs hatched successfully this past weekend. Only one unhatched looked like a fairly early quitter. Thanks to all for convincing me to move the eggs and broody back! Attached is a pic of one of my favs

 

[Rakaiachick]

Awww very cute and well done

 

[Billags]

I'm willing to adopt