Need Advice- First Time Hatcher- Fertile Eggs + Broody Hen :)

[UrbanFarmerGirl]

I have a Buffing Orpington Hen that has been broody for at least half of her life- she is super sweet, and at the bottom of the pecking order with our 4 girls. She doesn't lay very often, and if I leave an egg in the coop for more than half a day she goes broody. I think being a Mom is her calling in life. I ordered 9 fertile eggs, and am expecting them in the mail soon- 3 silkies, 3 hamburgs, and 3 Easter Eggers. I have been doing research and finding lots of great information, but I still have a couple of questions I would love to get some feedback on-

- I have a 4'x4'x4' coop which is raised up off of the ground inside of a well enclosed 8' x 4' run that is 6' tall. The hens free range in our fenced yard during daylight hours. There are 2 nest boxes and bunch of roosts inside of the coop portion, and it seems like more than enough room for the 4 hens. I keep reading that some people let their broody hens hatch eggs in their normal coop, while others build brood boxes. What should I do?

-I could easily move her into a warm, fenced off spot in the garage- but would it stress her out to be away from the other chickens?

-With a good hen, what is the expected hatch rate for a batch of 9 fertile eggs? I ordered them from mypetchicken.com.

-I am interested in having her actually raise the babies as well, if any hatch. Can she do this inside of the coop, or will the other chickens be mean to her and the babies?

If the eggs don't hatch, I am thinking of just slipping a few chicks under her in a couple of weeks.... so I will still need to figure something out as far as whether to separate her or leave her with the other hens.

Thanks for any feedback or advice!

 

[MMPoultryFarms]

MMk best advice I got is this. for one that sweet innoccent chicken will turn into the chicken monster soon as she sets on a clutch of eggs so far as low on pecking order she will gain super strenght and woop any hens butt that even thinks about getting close to her clutch.
I do seperate my broodys and no she wont be stressed she only has one thing on her mind. BABYS.

its best to keep some food and water close to her clutch so she doesnt have to get up to often this will give you better results in hatching. when she has hatched her clutch she can return to the coop with no real worries she will protect those babys with her life 9 out of 10 times. build you a retreat for the chicks to hide in if they need to I will dig up a pic of a retreat.

 

[UrbanFarmerGirl]

Thanks for the advice! A picture would be great

 

[MMPoultryFarms]

Quote:
I am still here hun just uploading for you. Edited for pic of a chick retreat.

this assures the chicks saftey from the rest of the hens. and is also a good way to wing them off momma.

 

[UrbanFarmerGirl]

What a good idea! So do you put it in the main coop, and then just the little guys can fit through the wire fencing?

 

[MMPoultryFarms]

Quote:
yup