Tried to set my broody hen today...

[babsbag]

My broody took a few days to decide what she wanted to do as well. She sat for 2 days and then took a 2 day break, not good. When she decided to do it, she did it big time. No fooling this time. I left all the eggs, even the ones she had for the first 2 days as I didn't know which ones they were. I need to candle them, or I will just wait for her to push the bad ones out. My big concern is how to get her out of the nest box that is up off the gound. I have a little over a week to figure it out.

I also have some in the incubator that are due next Tuesday. This could get to be a full house.

 

[bobbi-j]

I moved mine before setting her with the hatching eggs (thanks again, Pop for that advice!). I've had broodies set in the coop with the other hens and end up with broken eggs and the broody chased off the nest. So, I put her in a different building altogether. I'm not sure if you want to move her now or wait for the chicks to hatch. Hopefully someone out there with more experience than I have can help you out. Good luck! I'd like to hear how your hatch turns out.

 

[bobbi-j]

Well, Broody looks like she's all settled in on her nest. It will be fun to see how many she hatches out.

 

[vickycaglar]

i have got a asil x, that i have moved to a different shed,she is sitting on 6 light sussex eggs. I candeled them and they are all doing well

what i would like to know is - if you get a broody hen does it make the others go broody ?

 

[bobbi-j]

Not that I know of. At least it hasn't ever happened that way here. I think some breeds tend to lean more toward broodiness than others, too. Glad your eggs are doing well!

 

[babsbag]

My other hens are not interested in the least about going broody. They lay their eggs and leave. My broody hen will leave for about 10 minutes when I kick her out to get some food and drink, and then she is right back on the eggs. I'm surprised I have any fingers left.

She is determined to stay on the nest. So I would have to think that having one broody will not make the others broody. I agree with Bobbi-j, it tends to be a breed thing, some more than others.

 

[bobbi-j]

Today is day 5 of broody still setting on her nest. Looks good so far. I'm not going to candle them - just let Nature take its course.