I have a Barred Rock, first time broody. She has been sitting a long time! She started off broody and then about halfway in another hen started taking over the nest every time she got off. After a week of trading back and forth ( the other broody was sitting on 2 eggs and the Barred Rock was sitting on 6), the other broody won the nest. She ended up hatching 1 chick and then on the 2nd day she and the chick left the nest (it was a raised nest, so the chick couldn't get back in). Anyway, when I got home (April 7th) I found the abandoned nest and put 4 eggs in the incubator not expecting anything to happen. 2 days later a chick hatched and then another! Another couple of days and a 3rd chick hatched! I was able to put these chicks under the Momma with the 1 chick. On April 12th the Barred Rock hatched out the 2 original eggs in her nest, but rejected them. I didn't find them until after the 1st one was dead and the second one was very cold. I put that chick in the incubator and then the next day put her under the Momma with the 4 chicks. On Easter this chick was found dead in the chicken yard after she had been seen an hour before doing great. I think maybe one of the other older chickens stepped on her or otherwise harmed it.
Anyway, the Barred Rock is still sitting on eggs. When the 2 hatched, she had 16 others under her. 2 or 3 days ago I pulled 2 eggs that were stinky and she was eating. Now she is down to 11 eggs. ( I also pulled 3 clears and numbered the rest of the eggs she is sitting on).
So, my point for all this background information is: When do I say "enough is enough " and pull the rest of the eggs & put them in the incubator and try to break her of her broodiness? I am thinking of giving her until the end of the month. What do you think? You, being those who are more experienced with broodies.
Edited to add: Yes, I know I should have separated her and blocked it off so that the other hens couldn't have added their own eggs to the nest!
