moving a broody hen

[showbarnmom]

I've got a hen at work (free ranging chickens at an exotic animal park) who's been sitting about a week now. The place she chose is fairly safe, but its in a small shelter that lots of animals use.

I would like to move her to a much safer and enclosed area in another barn. I am trying to keep chicks alive. We also have free range peafowl, and they tend to really work over the baby chicks. And we also have a problem with chicks drowning in ground level water bowls.

Since it is at work, I can't move her at night. Can I catch her first thing in the AM about 730, and move her into a safer place? Will she go back to sitting? She's been really good about when she is shoved out of the small barn for whatever reason, usually me climbing in to clean it or a peahen, she's back within minutes.

 

[centrarchid]

Once embryos / chicks in eggs begin to chirp hen will begin bonding and be more inclined to stay with eggs. This will occur starting day 19 or so into incubation. Moving hen and brood earlier will likely bust bond. Can you wait until chicks begin to hatch to increase odds of success?

 

[showbarnmom]

Yea I could. These hens aren't super friendly, And not easy to catch. So was hoping since she is sitting and easy to catch it would be an easy move. And to give her some peace from the oeafowl and other animals that also use that small barn.

I marked on my calendar when I noticed she was sitting. At most she had been there 3 days before I saw her. Could I move her around week 3?