Separate Broody?

[DaveMorehouse]

We have an old hen that, I believe, is a black austrolorp. She appears to have gone broody in one of the nest boxes. I keep removing eggs - to her great displeasure - but she continues to sit on the two fake eggs that are there.

Can I move her to another tiny coop and set our ten freshest eggs under her and expect success? (Yes, we have a rooster.) What is the best way to go about it? (Move her at night so she wakes up in the new enclosure?) We haven't had hatched eggs from a broody before and don't really know what to do. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, in advance,
Dave

PS. Our tiny coop is one of those tractor supply kits that we used several years ago when we began with only three layers. Self-contained and with ramp and two nest boxes.

 

[bobbi-j]

My broodies have done just fine setting and hatching within the flock. If you do leave your broody where other hens have access to her nest, mark the eggs you want her to hatch so you can remove donations left by other hens. The first broody of the summer, I just let her set, hatch, and integrate into the flock without interference. The next two I did separate after the chicks hatched, just for a few days to be sure they'd be strong enough to keep up with Mom when loose. How you manage your broody is entirely up to you and what you're most comfortable with.

 

[leslielbk]

Ditto to Dave's questions with a few of my own: All 3 hens use the same milk crate on the floor (they wouldn't use the nice boxes I lovingly made) so they're laying with her under them. This morning one had a broken egg stuck on her leg! Boo. They also sleep on the floor, (wouldn't sleep on the nice roosting pole so I took it out) in a heap right next to the nesting box, at the back of the coop where it's cozy and darker. That's the lay-up.

1. I put in a basket with straw (it was all I had at the time) but they won't use it so I took it out...maybe I should've left in there longer...??
2. Do I put another crate in there & hope they use it?
3. Since they sleep in the only other cozy spot for a box, where would I put it? I feel like I should make a little covered box, like a proper nesting box, otherwise it'll be out in the open with only one wall behind it. Not much privacy. This one really has me in a tizzy, and I just got another crate so I'm ready to follow your advice!
4. Should I, if I put in a second box, section her off? It might encourage them to use it or make them crazy.

I marked the eggs this morning and there are 7. She's stopped laying (none of them are hers - again, boo) so the chicks will be black cochin rooster/barred rocks. Hope they're cute All 4 are a year old. Years ago when I had 11 chickens I didn't want more, so I'm new at this. I forgot to mention they're free-range and gone from the coop all day except to lay. There's a lot of advice on what to do once the chicks arrive, but this nesting box thing has me stumped. Thanks, all, and happy 4th!!

 

[DaveMorehouse]

While searching through BYC I found the Broody Hen Thread. That was very helpful. That, in turn, sent me here. There are five parts and there are many tips and tricks to help with broodies. Hope this helps, leslielbk. I know it helped me.

 

[leslielbk]

This really helped a lot, Dave. It pretty much answers all my questions. Hopefully tonight I'll be able to move her into her own little nesting spot in the coop without too much fuss.