Moved nest...

[lilynne86]

My two Orpingtons are mother and daughter, since they mama orp came back into lay she's went under my neighbours window, when her daughter started laying she followed and always layed in the same place. They've both now moved and are laying in the wee shed. Mama orp was going BANANAS this morning and I think it was cos one of the ducks is daring to lay in her new nest. Is she going broody again? Is her daughter? I ask because we have no cockerel and I would have to get hold of some eggs to give her!

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings lilynne86,

A coop with nest boxes and a secure run/pen, would solve all of your worries.

1. You won't have to look for the eggs, they will be in the nest box.
2. The eggs and hen would be safe from, predators (rats, opossums, raccoons, dogs, weasels, minks, skunks, coyotes, bobcats, etc.) Hens are vulnerable when laying, so they should have a protected safe place to lay their eggs.
3. The hens would not have to share their nest with ducks or other poultry.

Not all hens go broody, I have two Buff Orpingtons, neither one goes broody. But, my little game hen does go broody during Spring, Summer, and early Fall.

When they are broody, just continue to collect eggs, if they are laying. You can close off the nest box when the hen stops laying, to stop her broody behavior. In time, she will start laying again. She will be upset, but stick with it. Or, you can just let her sit on an empty nest, if you have plenty of nest boxes for the other hens.

You don't need to give her fertile eggs to sit on. Unless, you want some chicks.

The broody behavior is hard to stop, as, it is hormonally driven. But, once she sees she cannot go into the nest box, she will settle down, and her desire to sit on eggs will soon stop.

These are my thoughts on your hen's issue, I hope they are helpful.

God Bless