My other hens keep trying to lay eggs in with Beatrice even though she is in the middle of hatching, with 3 chicks and one other pipped. (there are many other eggs) I built an extension onto her little box..... her nest box is about 12 x 14 and the addition is about the same. In this addition i put layers mash, chick starter and water. I thought the enclosure itself would keep the others out but they still jumped in. I went in this afternoon and her eggs were scattered all over, presumed from another hen. No, i dont think she ejected bad ones.... the pipped one was out too. So now I have gone to the extreme and put a window screen over the top. No hen can get in, but also Beatrice, the sitting hen can not get out. Is this ok? Is this too small of a space? How long can I do this for? Can I wait a few days for the other eggs to hopefully hatch?
Thanks again!
Thanks again!