Newbie question about happy hens

[DaisyMaeDimples]

Bringing a treat at collection time helps their attitude, and can sometimes help evacuate the nest boxes, so long as they aren't in the middle of passing an egg.

Oh dear...sounds like one needs to truly read the room before reaching. I guess, tho, that if they usually lay around the same time, one can schedule the pick up accordingly.

 

[featherhead007]

But I'm a rooster: Squawk!

 

[SAMnELLA]

If there's a hen in the nest I just wait till they're done.

 

[harmonymw]

I always thank them as I’m collecting and remind them they’re valued citizens of our family. They’re probably plotting my death anyway, but at least I tried.

 

[Matt119911]

Mine just look in when I open the door then walk away they don't care sometimes they push eggs out of the nest box if it isn't theirs

 

[HenniesInMyHeart]

Straight up? I know it's uncomfortable to admit to ourselves, and people come up with all kinds of excuses and justifications to why hens aren't upset about their eggs being taken away from them, but if she's a broody, you bet your bottom dollar she will be upset! It is her instinctual survival imperative: those eggs are hers! They are the future! Her mission is to sit, come rain or shine, to hatch her babies, and then devote herself to bringing them into the world. If you are uncomfortable with this, as of course many of us are, the best solution is to get breeds that don't go broody easily. That way, mom isn't yearning for babies and you don't have to 'rob the nest'. If a hen isn't broody, they usually don't care what happens to their eggs. No guilt in picking those up!

 

[DaisyMaeDimples]

Straight up? I know it's uncomfortable to admit to ourselves, and people come up with all kinds of excuses and justifications to why hens aren't upset about their eggs being taken away from them, but if she's a broody, you bet your bottom dollar she will be upset! It is her instinctual survival imperative: those eggs are hers! They are the future! Her mission is to sit, come rain or shine, to hatch her babies, and then devote herself to bringing them into the world. If you are uncomfortable with this, as of course many of us are, the best solution is to get breeds that don't go broody easily. That way, mom isn't yearning for babies and you don't have to 'rob the nest'. If a hen isn't broody, they usually don't care what happens to their eggs. No guilt in picking those up!

Thanks for your honesty. I see there's a sort of catalogue of chickens on this site. I imagine there is also info about which are less broody than others, so I'll have a look. Don't really want a moody broody (apologies if that's been around the block a few gazillion times).

 

[Chickassan]

Mine totally don't care, if I have to reach under they get a belly scratch so it is a fair trade. I do get a good amount of "fake laying" just for the belly scratch.

 

[Matt119911]

Mine totally don't care, if I have to reach under they get a belly scratch so it is a fair trade. I do get a good amount of "fake laying" just for the belly scratch.

LOL

 

[featherhead007]

Mine totally don't care, if I have to reach under they get a belly scratch so it is a fair trade. I do get a good amount of "fake laying" just for the belly scratch.

Funny, I do that too!