Stacey from Texas question on movin a broody

[Staceybullock]

Hi,

Been reading here for awhile but have a question.

I have a hen who's been sitting on 6 eggs for 15 days. She's alone in the pen, as we finished our new coop and moved the 5 other hens and 4 pullets to the new house. Her nesting box is about 2 feet off the ground, Should I move her? I'm worried she'll break her broodiness if I do, but the chicks won't have any way in and out of the nest otherwise.... This is my 1 st hatch - not even sure the eggs are viable.

 

[iwiw60]

Hello from Oregon!

It's always exciting when you have a broody!! At this stage of the game (15 days) I'd just leave well enough alone and not move her. However, what I would do is to tack up a board in front of the nesting box maybe a 1 x 6?? Just thinkin'

Wishing you all the best, and be sure to keep us updated!!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

If she is broody enough, she may not get disturbed. You might get another area set up lower to the floor and then go up at night, move the eggs first and then slip her in the new box. Nighttime moves can make them stay put much easier than daytime moves. She should stay in the new box all night and when morning comes she should stay. However if she returns to her old spot, you might wait til the chicks hatch and then move them down lower and block off the upper nesting area for a while.

Good luck and welcome to our flock!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! That depends on the hen, as posters mentioned above if she is flighty and you are afraid she will not stick with the eggs if you move her, putting some sort of ramp up for the chicks is the safest thing to do. If you have a good flashlight you can check the eggs to see if they are developing, there are some nice articles in the Learning Center that cover candling eggs and what you should see at what stage, ie https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

X2, if she is serious about being broody, she'll probably actually be happy to be laying in a different box where she can't be as disturbed. Try and move her at night. But, you'll know that she doesn't want to be there if she returns to her old place.

 

[drumstick diva]

I don't know how old chicks would have to be to safely navigate a ramp reaching up two feet high. If you made low sides so they wouldn't fall off, and a very gradual descent to the ground, they may be able to follow mama up and down.

I think I'd leave well enough alone, some broodies get so upset over a move that abandon their eggs.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you decided to join our flock. You've been given some good advice from the other members. Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your hatch.