They're making a nest - what to do

[kristen2678]

Spring is in the air - although there is still 2 feet of snow on the ground. My BO who has always laid in the nest box has dug herself a little hole in the corner of the run, lined it with hay and has been laying in it. One of the EE's is joining her. I've been taking the eggs and removing the hay, but she keeps putting it back. I'm going to continue removing the eggs in the hopes she gives up. If she doesn't give up and I accidenatlly order some fertile eggs

, how do I introduce them? I would move the nest too. It's in a nice sheltered spot but not predator proof. Move the nest first and make sure she stays with it, then do the eggs at night? Will she really hunker down on just the two or 3 eggs I usually collect in a day?

 

[Pinky]

If she's a dedicated broody, she will sit on just a few eggs. And if you do get her eggs I would do it at night.

 

[gritsar]

Destroy the nest or try moving it inside. A broody is often in a trance and at too much risk from predators, even in a well built run. There's no substitute for a predator proof coop.