To take away or not? That is the question

[TwoChicks]

I have a broody easter egger on a about a dozen eggs. She's been on them for almost 2 weeks. I've got a couple of dilemmas ...

First is snakes. She's got them in the nest box that has been frequented by snakes in the past.
Second is location. The nest box is about 4' off the ground.

I'm thinking of relocating the momma and chicks (once they start to hatch) to smaller coop, but if I move her before they all hatch, will she continue to set on the unhatched ones?

Thanks in advance.

 

[sourland]

She may or may not continue to set if you move her. She's already two thirds of the way to the hatch date. I'd be tempted to take the chance and allow her to continue setting where she is and then move her and the chicks.

 

[LovinChicknFarmn]

I've done it both ways with success. Last year we waited and moved our broody once they staretd hatching (we'd actually meant to move her right before, but the chicks came early!). This year we moved her about halfway through brooding. Both times she was fine, but she's s auper determined mama. You know your hen. If she's set before and was a good brooder and very determined, most liekly no problem. If she has set before and been flighty, you might want to wait.

 

[TwoChicks]

Thanks everyone for the advice. This is her first time going broody, and I'm probably tending to be a little more protective this time around. My other hen that went broody last year hatched one chick and a snake got it, so I'm most likely going to move them all into a snake safe enclosure out of the coop this time.

Wish us luck, I'll post pics when they arrive.

 

[the-inventor]

I would move them before they hatch.