My First Broody Hen!!

[OneLostHen]

Silvia is broody!!!
She slept in the nest last night. I went and checked on her when I got home from work, about 4:35 and she was in the other box. I have two boxes next to each other. The box she left from had a half broken egg in it. Guess that's why she left that box.
But she left four eggs behind as well and in the other box she moved to, had two eggs in it laid that day.
(Sorry if its confusing)
Long story short, when I checked her new box to see if there were eggs in it, she left. Came back about two hours later. So I put the four eggs she left back to her and she raked them under her. I have no idea how long they have been left alone... They were cold. But I've heard if them hatching anyways, in rare occasions.
So we will see!!
I'm debating on including her in the nest, or letting her do her "own thing". I'm not devastated if none hatch, but I do want to provide the best possible chance of success...
Suggestions?

 

[PSJ]

It doesn't sound as if she's too serious. But, I would separate her and her eggs from the other chickens. That will stop the nest hopping. Most people suggest doing this anyway

 

[OneLostHen]

Yea, I'm not sure how long she leaves the nest during the day. But this is the second night she has slept on the nest.
I'll find a way to keep her separated. Also will make it easier for her to eat and drink in peace.

 

[BunkyB]

Keep an eye on her. Look for sign of fluffing up the feathers when she hops off the nest for a feeding or walking around fluffed up. Look for a loss of feathers below her crop. If you see a bald spot happening then there is a chance she is getting broody.

For the heck of it, take a marker and mark each egg in the nest with an x or anything...lol Over the next couple of days pop down to the nesting boxes and see if she is setting more often than you do now. Put your hand on the eggs and continue to feel for warmth If they are staying realatively warm you may have a broody.

Pop down after dark and see whether or she sits on the eggs overnight... Hopefully she does. The reason for the marker on the egg thing is to tell if the other hens are laying their eggs in her box. Obviously the egg without the marker is freshly layed. If you are unsure whether or not she is serious about setting you can take the unmarked eggs for yourself and leave the marked ones in the nest for a while longer.

I have been surprised before with the "is she broody, is she not" before and I dated the eggs. Up to a week later I took all new eggs out and she finally settled down and had a 100% hatch from the marked eggs. They surprise me to this day and it has been over 20 years raising them... Have fun Steve

 

[OneLostHen]

Well it has been afew days, figured I'd give an update!! She has been sitting on her eggs sense the 19th. Day and night.
She gets up every once and a while. I'm thinking once a day(?). But when she us up eating and drinking she is in mega witch mode. And she moves super fast to eat and drink. While screeeeaching at everybody before returning to her nest.
But do broody hens still lay new eggs? She had two more of her own in there...
Hoping she is serious, she seems to be! I've lost count of the dirty looks she has given me when I check on her.