I've never had a broody hen (unfortunately, I'm working on it though. =P) but I couldn't take all the babies from her. I personally think they would be mean. I don't feel like a hypocrite saying this because I currently have a broody Muscovy duck. (So I guess I have had a broody hen, but I was referring to chickens.) I wanted to see if she could hatch chicks, but didn't want her raising the chicks because they would drown if she tried to take them swimming. Anyways, long story short she's sitting on chicken and duck eggs and they are due to hatch Saturday after next. I'm going to brood the chicks myself and let her keep the ducklings. I would let her keep 1 or 2. Animals can do weird things when they have their babies taken from them. Your friend can always add the "keepers" to her flock when Mama Hen is done with them.
