lol, that's funny. Tell him to squawk next time. LOL
WELL, I have good news. Fritz showed up this afternoon! He may have shown up earlier, but I was gone to work. BUT, the funky feathered freak is home, alive! Yes!
About the possible broody. Have her hatch out some mutts. That way, if she doesn't brood well, you aren't out expensive eggs.
About broodies... I don't ever block off until just before hatch till just after. Then I let mom do with the chicks as nature would have it. I only block off during that critical time so I don't have to worry about chicks being accidentally stepped on while hatching, fighting in the nest while hatching cuz some other hen wants in to lay an egg... Having a fresh chick snatched away is also sad... SO, block off as soon as 2 days prior to hatch, up to two days after. I also put water and feed right next to mom. Its good to have her on the chick feed, she'll need the protien to rebuild up her weight that she'll lose setting. Moms are pretty vicious too. SO, the chicks may not be as people friendly as your brooder raised chicks unless you are able to handle them alot. AND Moms can be pretty vicious. Did I mention vicious? Yeah. But it's so much fun to watch a mother hen and her babies. If she goes, just mark the eggs with the date you expect to hatch. By leaving her in the flock right up till hatch time, it'll be easier for her to integrate her chicks.