one of my chickens has gone broody!

[ozzy chooks]

One of my girls has gone broody! I am quite new to raising chickens. I have got three and they are around 8 month old. Needless to say this is my first experience with a broody hen. And it is Iridescence first time too!
It has been 5 days and she seems very committed.
I get her out of the nesting box once a day to ensure she eats and drinks. She complains a bit but she it not aggressive. She stays out a bit to eat, drink, run and catch flies and bugs. Then she gets back in.

I am considering getting some fertilised eggs. I have read the articles on the topics and it was very useful.
However, I still have few questions:
How many eggs should I get, considering it is her first time?
She is currently brooding in one of the nesting boxes that are raised. Should I place her with the eggs closer to the floor? It might be too high for the chick when they will have hatched?
Anything else I should be aware of?

Thank you!

 

[Joeschooks]

I’ve been wanting a broody but because I want I won’t get!

About 8 eggs should be a comfortable number but 6 will be ok if you can only order in 6’s. It might be a good idea to lower the nest box which could also avoid any eggs getting broken if they’re knocked out. Once the chicks (hopefully) hatch it would be a wise precaution to separate mother and babies from the rest of the flock in a “broody coop”. Good luck!

 

[Pork Pie]

Egg numbers depend on her size.

Moving her or the nest box could break her broodiness.

Having sufficient space for more chickens is something to consider, as is having a plan for excess cockerels

 

[ozzy chooks]

Thank you Joeschooks. I am considering getting Araucana eggs
Should I also separate chicks and mum from the others considering my flock is V small (two other than Iridescence)?

And thank you Pork Pie Ken.
I moved Iridescence from the nest box for the past few days (once a day) but she is stubborn.
Also I have 2 nesting boxes and as soon as the others lay an egg she moves in the box with egg/s.b Hopefully if I prepare a nice and cosy box when I get the eggs she might move there by her own accord... fingers crossed.

Good point about the cockerel; I thought of it and considering a couple of options.

 

[Joeschooks]

I love Araucanas; I have 7 3wk old lavenders running around my brooder next to me!

If it's easy enough to separate them with a section of chicken wire I would do it. If you can keep a close eye on things for the first few days after they hatch you will be around to stop any problems and you may well find the chicken wire is not needed. The mother should be protective of her babies but they're not all good mothers so I would err on the side of caution.

It's a long time since I've hatched under a broody so someone with some fresh knowledge will hopefully comment with their thoughts too.

 

[sylviethecochin]

There's some good advice above, so I'll just add:
Don't buy expensive eggs for her first hatch.

 

[Sublight]

I love my broody hens. My suggestion, don't let her brood in "general population". Build a small cheap box for her to brood in. Give her food/water. They are more likely to fail if they have the run of the coop. And younger girls aren't as good at it.
I built a 18'x18'x30' cage for mine. They brood perfectly.

Don't take her off her nest. Mother nature knows what to do. Trust your chicken, and leave her alone. You can add eggs, or move her at night when she is in her "trance".
Move her at night first, and let her sit on unfertilized eggs, or ceramic eggs, to make sure she doesn't loose her "broodiness".
Then the next night, slip her new eggs. Then enjoy the cutest thing you have ever seen in your life in 3 weeks, when their little heads poke up out of her feathers.

 

[Sublight]

Egg numbers depend on her size.

Moving her or the nest box could break her broodiness.

Having sufficient space for more chickens is something to consider, as is having a plan for excess cockerels

This is good advice on all 3 points. VERY GOOD advice.

My silkie can only brood 5 eggs.
I move mine to a special box that I outlined above. I do it at night, and have good success. But it is a gamble.
Lastly, I get more roosters then I do hens, so you may have to "dispose" of the roosters later. Unless you want lots of useless roosters.

 

[Sublight]

And by the way. I charge for this advice. My price, is pics of them running around with mom.

 

[coloradowildflower]

I second the advice of moving her to a secure broody box. Good mama hens can easily hatch up to a dozen eggs, but you need to consider her size and the size of her enclosure and not overcrowd her. Eight or so is a great number to start with.