question on blocking off nest box for broody

[junior67]

Ultimately I agree with huntmaster. I went through this rigmarole as well, trying to net off part of the house and nesting box where my broody had her eggs. Allowing just enough space for extra food and water for her to do her business. I think she would have integrated her chicks just fine from minute one.

ya I don't want to lock her in for good or block her off from the flock once they hatch (unless there is an issue) I just want to be sure she goes back to her nest when I can't be there to get her back on quick enough. There isn't much time left so she just needs to start behaving.

 

[junior67]

so last night I went out and put boxes in the other nest boxes since I wasn't expecting anyone to have to lay early. Wake up and peek in this morning to be see how it worked. Yup there is one of my girls pacing and running all over the coop looking for a place to lay. I immediately went out to her complaining and removed the boxes. She was still running all over and last I looked she hadn't gone into one of the now open nest boxes. OOPS!

Oh and the broody didn't get up this morning either!!!!!!

LOL this is just how things seem to go for me.

 

[Fentress60]

Always separate the broody from the rest of the flock. That said many people, including myself, have tried what you are doing. we learn by doing. Once a brood has hatched, after a couple of days, they can join the flock, as long as there is plenty of room and structures/cover for the brood to settle in. Check out Harvey Ussery, a great source on the broody topic.

 

[junior67]

Always separate the broody from the rest of the flock. That said many people, including myself, have tried what you are doing. we learn by doing. Once a brood has hatched, after a couple of days, they can join the flock, as long as there is plenty of room and structures/cover for the brood to settle in. Check out Harvey Ussery, a great source on the broody topic.

I have read and heard from MANY on here that never separate the broody from the flock and it goes great which is why I am trying it that way. Same with brooding my other chicks in the coop and having them join the flock around 4 weeks of age, and using a MHP. All things that many have had success with on here. But thank you for saying what you do and what works for you.

 

[chickschool]

I’m sorry but I’m a little confused. Do you want the hens to hatch their eggs? I raise silkies which can be very broody. I’ve actually shoved a few other eggs under them, for a friend, to hatch. They are such good mama’s . When they started stealing eggs from some of my other chickens I simply picked them off the nest, took the eggs, and locked them out for the day. I don’t know if that was right, PLEASE don’t jump on my you people that know way more than me. It worked. I’ve also been told people said you can take the eggs and replace them with wooden ones and when they don’t hatch the chicken will eventually give up. Not sure if that helps.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Always separate the broody from the rest of the flock. That said many people, including myself, have tried what you are doing. we learn by doing. Once a brood has hatched, after a couple of days, they can join the flock, as long as there is plenty of room and structures/cover for the brood to settle in. Check out Harvey Ussery, a great source on the broody topic.

I never separate my broodies and I've only had one minor problem before.

 

[junior67]

I’m sorry but I’m a little confused. Do you want the hens to hatch their eggs? I raise silkies which can be very broody. I’ve actually shoved a few other eggs under them, for a friend, to hatch. They are such good mama’s . When they started stealing eggs from some of my other chickens I simply picked them off the nest, took the eggs, and locked them out for the day. I don’t know if that was right, PLEASE don’t jump on my you people that know way more than me. It worked. I’ve also been told people said you can take the eggs and replace them with wooden ones and when they don’t hatch the chicken will eventually give up. Not sure if that helps.

yes she was sitting on eggs to hatch. and she never really stole any just went back on the wrong box so sad on the wrong eggs. I just moved her over to her correct eggs and collected the others. have heard of them stealing them though. Thankfully mine didn't. The chicks hatched 2 days ago so she has 2 babies now.

 

[junior67]

I never separate my broodies and I've only had one minor problem before.

so far it is going well here with the babies. The roo met them yesterday when mom went out to eat, drink and dust bathe. I saw it on camera after the fact and was a so worried! after he was in the coop they jumped out of the nest box. He pecked at them each a few times but looked to be pretty gentle. the chicks just ran away from him. The only thing that worried me a bit is after mom came back he was still in there. He pecked a couple more times and she didn't do anything for a while. Then he turned his back and she flapped her wings out at him. But chicks were good with no injuries or anything so thinking it wa a pretty good interaction. I will post the video I took from my camera. if you can let me know if it went "ok". Only thing was mom went back in the nest box and the shavings were too low I think so chicks couldn't get back in there. I have since built them up. But either mom isn't calling babies loud enough or babies don't listen to mom since later one hopped out and was peeping for her but didn't go back to her. Will they sort this out?

 

[junior67]

@PippinTheChicken and anyone else.

is this normal and OK?

 

[DobieLover]

@PippinTheChicken and anyone else.

is this normal and OK?

It's normal and okay. He is reclaiming mom and checking out his kids. Chickens peck for a lot of reasons. He is investigating.
Mom is not distressed and going after him and the chicks are not shrieking and running away.