moving broody hens

[fostermom55]

I have a hen that has decided to set in all the hens favorite nest box. Today hens were literally getting on top of her to lay . I would like to allow her to try hatching a brood. If I pick the nest box up with her in it to relocate it will she likely abandon it? Earlier this spring I left a nest full of eggs for a week hoping one would get broody, none did.

 

[Tre3hugger]

 

[gointothebirdsfarm]

I would definitely relocate her to a spot where the other hens cannot lay in her nest and where she will not move from nest to nest. I have problems with that. My hens (or duck) will move from nest to nest, and then the eggs are all different ages. I got a nice big open cage with plenty of food, water, and hay, put her eggs in there, and then put her in there. She loved it, and had no problem with the moving.

 

[DobieLover]

I have a hen that has decided to set in all the hens favorite nest box. Today hens were literally getting on top of her to lay . I would like to allow her to try hatching a brood. If I pick the nest box up with her in it to relocate it will she likely abandon it? Earlier this spring I left a nest full of eggs for a week hoping one would get broody, none did.

Do you have a place to secure her where the other hens cannot get into her nest?
You can and should move her from where the hens typically lay but you will need to secure her in an area where she can get off the nest to do her broody poop, eat and drink and maybe take a quick bath.
If you can't secure her and the other hens may have access to her nest when she leaves you will need to mark all of her eggs so you can remove any that the others may deposit there.
During the last 2 days, block her off so she can hatch in peace.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

If you can move the nesting box she is in that would be good. If you can't move put some thing in front of the opening so the chickens can't lay on her, let her out when she wants. DO NOT move her out of the nesting box she is in, she may abandon them. My hen have done that before, so I would just keep her were she is. You can mark the eggs with a marker to know which eggs are hers so you don't grab the wrong one, I have done this to. The marker doesn't heart the the unborn chicks.

 

[DobieLover]

If you can move the nesting box she is in that would be good. If you can't move put some thing in front of the opening so the chickens can't lay on her, let her out when she wants. DO NOT move her out of the nesting box she is in, she may abandon them. My hen have done that before, so I would just keep her were she is. You can mark the eggs with a marker to know which eggs are hers so you don't grab the wrong one, I have done this to. The marker doesn't heart the the unborn chicks.

I've moved 2 broodies to new sites without issue. If they are moved before they are given their clutch they can graft to the new site.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

I've moved 2 broodies to new sites without issue. If they are moved before they are given their clutch they can graft to the new site.

Well maybe it depends on the hen. My hen wouldn't set on their eggs if a moved them out of the nesting box they were in. So when whe set in a portable one I would move them.

 

[fostermom55]

If you can move the nesting box she is in that would be good. If you can't move put some thing in front of the opening so the chickens can't lay on her, let her out when she wants. DO NOT move her out of the nesting box she is in, she may abandon them. My hen have done that before, so I would just keep her were she is. You can mark the eggs with a marker to know which eggs are hers so you don't grab the wrong one, I have done this to. The marker doesn't heart the the unborn chicks.
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Thanks, I will move her box tomorrow.