Somebody gotta help me

[perrypogue]

My situation is that I have a hen that's apparently trying to sit about a dozen eggs. This is new for me. What concerns me is that she's in a large nesting box about 5' off the ground. I don't think she's left these eggs for 3 days now. Doesn't she need feed and water?

 

[Insnesnakos]

It looks like she is broody
Does she act aggressive towards you?

 

[Rose Quartz]

Broody chickens usually get up for about 1 hour each day to get food, water, and to relieve themselves. Near the end they'll stay put for days when the chicks are about to hatch.

If she's just getting started then she'll probably get up at some point.

 

[perrypogue]

It looks like she is broody
Does she act aggressive towards you?

Well, she doesn't really but then I haven't tried to bother her.

 

[triciayoung]

Can she get in and out of the nest just fine? In any case, I would relocate her and the nest lower - you will need to do so when they hatch anyway. I had one like that and I got nervous so I took water and food to her.

 

[perrypogue]

I'm also curious as she is a Wyandotte and my only rooster is a game bird.

 

[perrypogue]

Can she get in and out of the nest just fine? In any case, I would relocate her and the nest lower - you will need to do so when they hatch anyway. I had one like that and I got nervous so I took water and food to her.

I have a wide ladder to the nest and it's very big but heavy and screwed to the henhouse so moving it isn't possible. I had assumed that as they hatch I'll move them under a heat lamp where I usually keep new chicks.

 

[suzrwin]

I'm also curious as she is a Wyandotte and my only rooster is a game bird

I'm also curious as she is a Wyandotte and my only rooster is a game bird.

My most broody birds are my two Wyandottes. You don't HAVE to let her brood. I remove eggs under my broodies, and let them sit for however long they want (bc I have plenty of nest boxes). Others like to "break" their broodies. Kind of up to you what way you want to go with this.

 

[Rose Quartz]

I have a wide ladder to the nest and it's very big but heavy and screwed to the henhouse so moving it isn't possible. I had assumed that as they hatch I'll move them under a heat lamp where I usually keep new chicks.

Once they're hatched, move mama and babies down to the floor. She'll stay with them when she realizes they can't get up.

 

[WhoDatChick]

I have a wide ladder to the nest and it's very big but heavy and screwed to the henhouse so moving it isn't possible. I had assumed that as they hatch I'll move them under a heat lamp where I usually keep new chicks.

Awwww, don’t take them away from their mama