Moving broody hen off nest!

[Mikus]

My brown hybrid hen, Doris, has been broody for approx 1 week, I eventually found her nest in a hedge at the bottom of the garden! She hasn't been in contact with a roo and was laying on her unfertilised eggs. I got some fertile eggs, put them in a separate coop and have locked her in with them, I suppose what I'm trying to say is have I done the right thing and will she eventually settle down to sit on them? I only did it this morning and can still see her pacing around, any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[PD-Riverman]

No, that usually does not work. Get you a container only a couple inches tall at the most----at least as big as the nest----go to where she was setting----scoop/pick up her whole nest and place in this container in the exact same spot---place the new eggs----then go turn her back out---she should go back to the nest. Let her settle there. Then in a couple days have her new spot ready, food and water(not close to her nest)---then in the cover of black darkness (just after dark) gently pick up the whole nest with her still setting in it----no lights or at least the smallest, dimmest light you got and only flip it on for a second to get your bearings----slow, gentle, quietly----place her nest and all in the new spot---close the door and back away----no hanging around----no talking at all while you are doing this. The nest morning check her from a distance----don't get close to her for a couple days-----she has food and water. Good Luck

 

[Mikus]

No, that usually does not work. Get you a container only a couple inches tall at the most----at least as big as the nest----go to where she was setting----scoop/pick up her whole nest and place in this container in the exact same spot---place the new eggs----then go turn her back out---she should go back to the nest. Let her settle there. Then in a couple days have her new spot ready, food and water(not close to her nest)---then in the cover of black darkness (just after dark) gently pick up the whole nest with her still setting in it----no lights or at least the smallest, dimmest light you got and only flip it on for a second to get your bearings----slow, gentle, quietly----place her nest and all in the new spot---close the door and back away----no hanging around----no talking at all while you are doing this. The nest morning check her from a distance----don't get close to her for a couple days-----she has food and water. Good Luck

Thank you very much, I'll do that now!

 

[Ridgerunner]

There are different ways to go about it but what PD said should work. Make sure where you put her is locked so she cannot get out and go back to her old nest. That's very important. She does not need a lot of room in her containment pen, just room for a nest, food, water, and a little room to poop. A broody hen should know to not poop in her nest and foul the eggs, but she doesn't know to not poop in her food or water. You may do some cleaning so give yourself access.

When I do something like this I generally lock them in the new nest most of the next day. That's just something else that can improve your odds. Most people don't do this and still usually have pretty good success. We all have different ways we do these things.

Next time I suggest you try moving her first with her unfertile eggs and see if she accepts the move before you get the fertile eggs. It's less disappointing that way if she does not accept the move.

Good luck!

 

[PD-Riverman]

There are different ways to go about it but what PD said should work.

That is very true---we do have different methods---as long as it works---it doesn't matter. Just for info, I have moved over 150 broody hens in 3 seasons, all at night the way I described(except all my nesting boxes are movable---preplanned) and so far all 150+ accepted the move fine and all hatched about every fertile egg under them. Do what Works!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I bet you have some patience too. Even if the hen paces a bit at first give her some time. A little experience in this kind of stuff can go a long way.

 

[Mikus]

There are different ways to go about it but what PD said should work. Make sure where you put her is locked so she cannot get out and go back to her old nest. That's very important. She does not need a lot of room in her containment pen, just room for a nest, food, water, and a little room to poop. A broody hen should know to not poop in her nest and foul the eggs, but she doesn't know to not poop in her food or water. You may do some cleaning so give yourself access.

When I do something like this I generally lock them in the new nest most of the next day. That's just something else that can improve your odds. Most people don't do this and still usually have pretty good success. We all have different ways we do these things.

Next time I suggest you try moving her first with her unfertile eggs and see if she accepts the move before you get the fertile eggs. It's less disappointing that way if she does not accept the move.

Good luck!

Thank you

 

[Mikus]

That is very true---we do have different methods---as long as it works---it doesn't matter. Just for info, I have moved over 150 broody hens in 3 seasons, all at night the way I described(except all my nesting boxes are movable---preplanned) and so far all 150+ accepted the move fine and all hatched about every fertile egg under them. Do what Works!

Fingers crossed!!!

 

[Mikus]

No, that usually does not work. Get you a container only a couple inches tall at the most----at least as big as the nest----go to where she was setting----scoop/pick up her whole nest and place in this container in the exact same spot---place the new eggs----then go turn her back out---she should go back to the nest. Let her settle there. Then in a couple days have her new spot ready, food and water(not close to her nest)---then in the cover of black darkness (just after dark) gently pick up the whole nest with her still setting in it----no lights or at least the smallest, dimmest light you got and only flip it on for a second to get your bearings----slow, gentle, quietly----place her nest and all in the new spot---close the door and back away----no hanging around----no talking at all while you are doing this. The nest morning check her from a distance----don't get close to her for a couple days-----she has food and water. Good Luck

Quick question.....do I keep her enclosed in the new area for the full 21 days until hatched?

 

[PD-Riverman]

Quick question.....do I keep her enclosed in the new area for the full 21 days until hatched?

I always do. My main "hatching" pens are 2ft x 4ftx 3ft tall with the broody box hanging on the outside. If you have something similar in size and a dusting box or dirt floor---she will be good. No, she does not need to be taken off the nest---she will get off when she gets ready. I just keep adding to her water/feed and Leave her alone. The only time I will look at her eggs is if she just happens to be off the nest eating, etc. I found out its Best with most broody hens----to just leave them alone. She is moved there in the beginning and stays in it until the chicks are 2 or 3 weeks old----unless I need it then they are moved to a little bigger round pen----still by their self and then the chicks stay in those pens until they get a couple months old. These pens are made with 1/2" hardware cloth to help keep them some-what snake proof and the hatching pen(1st pic) is divided into 4 sections so 4 broody hens can be in it but all 4 are separated from each other. Let me see if I can find a pic.