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Should I block the entrance to my broody's nest on hatch day?

Discussion in 'Incubating & Hatching Eggs' started by kristenm1975, May 13, 2009.

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  1. May 13, 2009 #1
    kristenm1975

    kristenm1975 Songster

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    Jul 23, 2008
    Seattle, WA
    She went broody in the communal hen house and nests and as I didn't have any other place for her to go, I left her there with her eggs. I only work two days of the week away from home so I figured it would be okay if she hatched them in with the other hens because I'd be home and could closely monitor the whole thing. As luck would have it, I've been schedule to work that day in the city and will not be there.

    I would hate to have the chicks hatch and the other hens kill them while I'm gone. (Or while I'm there for that matter) I read about another BYC-er tacking up some chicken wire to prevent the broody from taking off before her job is done and to keep the other chickens away and I'm wondering if that might be the thing to do.

    I wouldn't do that until the night before the hatching is supposed to commence. I can access the nest from an outside opening, so if they hatch out and she's attacking them herself, as I've read about so many hens doing on here, I can remove them and put them in my brooder.

    What do you all suggest?
     

  4. May 13, 2009 #2
    bantamman13

    bantamman13 Songster

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    May 27, 2008
    My hens normally go broody where all my other hens lay so a day or two before they hatch I place water along with a little scratch and starter next to my broody and place some plywood or whatever is handy around the hen to box her in. I normally leave her penned up with the babes for a couple of days. Good luck with the hatch
     

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