new broody pooped in nest

[Minky]

Hi
Ive got a welsummer hen who went broody this week, so after a few days I separated her and gave her a clutch of eggs. The very next day, I looked in on the eggs while she was eating, and they were all mucky. Not horrible, but I think bad enough that I am worried they won't hatch.
Shall I just swap out the eggs for another batch? I have lots. Or will she just do it again?
Any tips on preventing this- Ive never had a broody poop in the nest before!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I've never had that happen before either but I don't isolate them, I let them hatch with the flock. Can you describe (photos would be great) how you have her isolated? Maybe she needs more room to come off the nest? Or something. By instinct a broody hen should know not to do that. So either there is something about your set-up that stops her or her instinct is messed up. It sounds like you may have done this before in that set-up without issues. I figure every hen is allowed an oops (I try to not jump to conclusions), but if she does it again it may be instinct, especially if you've use d that set-up before.

I would clean out the nest an replace with new bedding. See if you need to wash her undersides. That might or might not break her from being broody but if she is dirty she needs to be clean. Give her new eggs. I don't know how badly they are messed up but dirty eggs or dirty undersides can allow bacteria to get inside. You don't want that.

If she repeats I'd not give her another chance. I also would never hatch one of her eggs. I would not want her messed up instincts to be bred into my flock.

Good luck!

 

[Chickassan]

Agree, one chance only.
If she does it again she isn't prepared to be a mother just yet, break her and try again when she's matured a bit more.

 

[Minky]

Thank you both! That's exactly what it is, I bet.
I have a broody pen (4x4x3 high) and when I get a broody, I bring it into the hen house (its collapsable) and set it up, that night I move the broody into a cardboard box nest in the broody pen. But she is in the henhouse, in the middle of the action, but has one solid wall for privacy if she wants.
But this time I set it up outside in the run. Its enclosed, and not much used (only frequented on time to time ) but we are out in the woods, so maybe with the wind and some rain etc..noises etc she was too nervous to come out and poop.
I just didn't want to leave her in the barn if it was so hot (our barn can get hot!!) but its freezing outside for June!! so Maybe I should bring it in the barn....