Hopefully they'll turn outI'm very excited I've never had a broody Polish before normally I have a Silkie hatch them or something so I'm super excited. I'll have to post some pics soon.
Oh a friend of mine saw this on facebook and I think you will get a kick out of it.
I need some advice! The way my coop is set up I don't have any laying boxes that are down low, my brooder hen likes one of the highest boxes and is currently on seven eggs. I originally gave her spot on the floor, but I mistakenly put a dish of food down there near her the first evening. Well the other girls went crazy over seeing food in the coop (I don't feed them in there) and they pretty much destroyed that little nest area we made for her and scattered the eggs. She was back up in her regular box when we went to check on her. So I moved the eggs back up there with her and she has been there with them for 2 nights. I am quite concerned about two things. First, the other hens keep running her off of them so they can lay in that box (she is pretty low on the pecking order). Secondly, I am concerned about what will happen when she hatches them and they are 4 feet off the ground? She is not going to be able to take them out or get them to food and water.
So the only thing I can think of is to put a dog crate in the coop and put her in it with the eggs. Then when they do hatch (assuming they were not scrambled by the other girls the first night) she will be on the floor and can take them out and about. The crate that I have is 21x24, so there would be enough room for her to get off the nest and move about a bit if she needed/wanted. Do I lock her in there and provide her with food and water? Or do I leave the door open? My concern about not locking her in is that the others will be curious and run her out. Also, if I don't lock her in, will she leave the eggs to go back to her favorite box?
OMG, I am worse than a first time mother. Can someone please just give me some guidance? This is the first time that I have really been on the fence about anything with my chickens. I am just not sure what is best.
I dont think you killed them. You went straight and put them under the hen right? If so than I think you should be ok. Just some late hatchers. Lets hope!
Well they ran back to mama after I set them up there, but then when she went up it was like a light blub went off in their adorable little brains. It all depends on how the other will react. You just have to watch for a bit. My mama is the lowest on the totem pole and no one is bothering her or her babies anymore. There were a few fights and scuffles and some babies being picked up the first few hours, but after I stepped in and made them realize who the REAL head hen is they stopped. I wouldnt be to worried though since your gal is in the coop anyway. You may even be able to take that wire down. My mama hen takes on our jack russlle to protect her babies (he just wants to play, its really cute) so I wouldnt worry to much.
Its a great learning experience and the next time I have hens after these ones I will for sure be starting out with a breeding pair and having the mom raise the babies! So much less work
My advice is to do what you are thinking. Move her into the crate. She wont want to be up much anyways. Lock her in to keep the other girls out and then every now and then, say when your feeding? Open the gate up and let her have the choice to come out. If she does great if she doesnt thats ok too. Just standby and watch her to make sure she gets back on the eggs and doesnt go to her other nest. After the first few time she will catch on to the routine.
My broody hen didnt stay off the nest for any longer then 10 minutes. I would certainly move her if the other hens are making her get off to lay more eggs. You may even want to put the crate in a quiet, save, secluded area sorta in the dark and let her do her thing. Make sure she adequate light though.
Hope I helped some! Dont worry! I freaked out too! Its normal, you will calm down as soon as you see she is taking care of the eggs and just keep thinking of the reward seeing momma and babies running around with her teaching them everything there is to know about living life as a chicken!
