I have a broody Partridge Rock. Just realized it this week. I don't believe she initially was even sitting on any eggs, so I began giving her some every day. She's in on3 the the nesting boxes about 3 ft. high. I have 3 boxes and 9 layers so I guess she could just stay where she is right? So far I don't notice anyone picking on her for being there. I've been reading that some folks move their broodies to a dog crate or other arrangement. My nesting boxes have about a 4" ledge across the front. If she manages to hatch some peeps, how will they get out and it they do and fall to the floor, it's a 3ft long fall? Should I move her? What makes a good brooder arrangement? Thanks for your input!
I would make her her own nest on the floor when they hatch. My broody was on top of my hay bales in the barn, I moved her and the babies back in the coop after a day. The babies are active at a young age and will fall off!
mama, ya gotta stop putting eggs under her. Move her to a private pen with the nest at floor level. Move her at night, in the dark, and move her 3 eggs with her. After she has been in that pen 2-3 days with no sign of leaving the nest, except for food and eliminations, then go to her again at night and remove those 3 eggs and put as many fresh eggs under her as you feel she can cover well. Mark your calendar for 21 days and be sure to feed and water her. Don`t disturb her, just let her do her job.
She's right. You want the eggs to be the same age. That way, the eggs hatch at the same time. I put mine in a dog crate and went let them out twice a day. I have to pick them up off the nest at first. Soon they come off when the door opens. I did have some hens sit on eggs in the nest boxs. It was about three feet off the floor, like yours. When the chicks were dry, I just put them all on the floor. Good luck and keep us posted.
So if wait and put eggs under all on the same day......those eggs can't come out of the fridge can they? Do I just store them at room temperature until I have the quantity I want?
yes store them until you have what you want. Not in the fridge though! Earlier today there was a good post about how to store them.
