moving a broody hen

[tjreno2]

i have a friend that has 2 silkies that have been sitting for awhile on no eggs. the questions is how can i move them and keep them sitting ? i have some call duck eggs coming in this week and i would like to get them under these hens. i dont want to leave them there and put the eggs under them because of chicken snakes and his kids. he told me i can have them and i would like to try to move them here. any advise? thanks tim

 

[sumi]

Usually broody hens don't like being moved. You could try moving them into a "broody coop". Put them in en enclosed space with a nest and the eggs for at least 24 hours before opening them so they can get up. If they are really broody they will settle on the eggs after a few hours.
Good luck.

 

[Nsampsel]

Try moving them after dark. Try not to turn on any lights or flashlights. The darker the better. If they wake up in the new place with eggs already under them they will likely do much better. They may not even realize they have moved. Just put food & water within easy reach so they don't have to wander far to find it & they will likely stay right where you put them.