Moving a Broody? - update 4/6

[azelgin]

OK, I just finished incubating 18 chicks and now one of my big ol' Wyandottes decides to go broody. I need to move her from the nest she has confiscated, to another area that I have cordoned off for this sort of thing. She just started setting today. should i go ahead and move her during the day, so, I can keep an eye on her in case she decides to bail out of her commitment, or, should I move her at night and hope she doesn't notice the new location in the morning?

 

[Mahonri]

I'd try early in the morning before first light and then watch her.

 

[azelgin]

Quote:
Sound like a good idea. I usually get up late. When does the sun come up around here?

 

[Mahonri]

You are funny...

First light here at present is about 5:45.... so you'd want to do it an hour before that!!!

Perhaps an alarm would be in order!... with a head lamp.

 

[azelgin]

Actually, Bob usually gives me a heads up sometime before daylight arrives. His snooze button is also out of reach from the bed. He's serving time in rooster jail, about 30' from my bedroom window.

 

[Mahonri]

Bob, looks BIG!

What is he?

 

[azelgin]

He's a BO. Friendly to people, but the hens hate him. Too much running and screaming when he gets out to play.

 

[Judy]

You could try moving her after dark instead of early AM. Put a couple of golf balls or plastic eggs or something similar under her, and see what she does for a day or two. Then try the chicks. Or that's what I would try.

 

[azelgin]

Quote:
Thanks. I don't need to give her the new chicks. They have a home to go too, with a neighbor down the road. I was going to go ahead and let her hatch out what she has. I estimate she is hording about 8 eggs. That's about how many we were short from the usual quota today. I just wanted to have the best chance for her to stay on the nest, after I move her. The new spot for her is only about ten feet from where she is now, but it is wired off from the rest of the coop, so she wont have to put up with the other hens wanting the nest.

 

[basicliving]

I

your alarm clock! My coop is on the other side of the house from my bedroom, so I can't hear my roosters. Which is nice. I already get up at 5AM and they are crowing steadily when I do. Heaven knows what time they start!

I would move her at night too, just after dark.

Best of luck! Tell us how it goes.