Tips for moving broody hen to her own coop.

[Castlemaid]

Hello everyone! Hope you can help me (I'm sure you guys can, you all rock!). I'm very happy to announce that one of my inherited chickens (a flock came with the house I bought - first time I have chickens) - has gone broody. I was hoping for one of the girls to answer the call of motherhood, as I would like to hatch out a clutch.

I've been cleaning out a smaller coop with a fenced run just for her - the outbuildings and barns at my new place came with year's worth of manure and dirt and mess, so I have my work cut out for me!

My question is: what is the best way to move her into the new coop? Her nest box is a plastic crate on the ground, so I can just pick it up and move it, but I don't wan't to break her of her broodiness. I've been removing eggs from her nest to store until I have a nice dozen. I'll be ready to move her in a couple of days - tips and help to make the transition smooth?

And a newbie question: what makes her stop laying and decide she has enough eggs for a clutch?

Thanks in advance!

 

[JennyHeidewald]

I have a broody too, my first time dealing with one, I've taken her out of the nest box where she has been two days in a row, and she is still broody. I hope she stays this way until next week when I get some hatching eggs I really want under her!
I have to move a rooster out of the broody coop to put her in.

 

[50-45-1]

Hi castlemaid, congratulations on your broody!
I always move my broodys to a broody hutch. I do it after dark, with a dim headlight.
90 percent of the time the hen continues her brood. That other 10 percent do not like to move and break up.
It will help if the new coop you are putting her in is dark and quiet. She will need fresh water and food avaliable away from her nest. She will get off and eat drink and deficate, usually once a day. Do not be alarmed if you do not see her do this. Look for signs, like the feed disturbed or a giant poop.
Good luck and keep us updated!