Question About A Broody RIR Hen

[BENNY]

I am new to chickens and I have a couple of questions for you people with some experience. I have six RIR hens eights old and one of them went broody Wed. 2/09 and was setting on one egg. I thought she would quit but as of Fri. she was still setting good. That afternoon a friend of mine gave me eight more fertile eggs to put under her and I did. She is still setting this morning, Sun. 2/13. My question, if she does continue to set and hatch the eggs, one egg will hatch two days earlier than the rest. My nest box is 20 inches high off the coop floor. How will the early chick get out and get to feed and water or do I move the nest now down to the floor level were the chicks can go and come easy. If I make a new nest will the hen go back to the new nest with no trouble. Thanks for any advice. Benny

 

[Happy Chooks]

I'd probably move her. If you do, move her at night. Some birds do well being moved, some don't.

As for the hatching, the chick will not get up to eat and drink until the hen shows it the food and water. You should be okay with 2 days difference, the new chick can go 2 days without food and water as they just finished absorbing the yolk sac. I would want the nest low to the ground though, in case the hen gets up with the chick, the chick can get back under with the eggs to keep warm.

 

[Mrs. K]

Leave her be, and move the others come hatching day! Or just section off a corner. They can quite brooding, if you move them, some hens get a set nest they want and will go back to it. leaving the eggs.

Mine hatched out 24 inches above the ground, and most got out of the nest down to the floor just fine, then I put a box on the side, filled with some hay, and she moved everyone into it. Mine were raised in the flock, I did keep the layers away from them for the first 24 hours. I just let them out to free range.

Mrs K

ps, nothing like conflicting advice!