What on earth did you tell the wife ?? Uhm, honey sorry I yelled at you no big deal Nugget was just kidding she's not dead ?? LOL, ohhh I cant imagine !!!
She must think your crazy !!!
About giving her eggs or chicks, Broody's need to sit at least 2ish weeks before you should give them chicks or eggs that are going to hatch soon. If done to soon there mama hen instinks might not kick in and they might reject the chicks !!!
A hens body knows when to swich from sitting to mama mode.
But, if do try it just make sure to keep a CLOSE eye on her to make sure everything is going ok. That way if there is a problem you can take the chicks/egg back inside with you !! Good luck and again what a great story !!!
Could you just give her some of the ready to hatch eggs, then when and if they hatch under her give her some more in the night? That way if she gives up you would still have some incubator chickies...
As for moving the nest could you make a gang plank with a rough surface (wrap in wire or some wood rungs)? or would it be too hard for the chicks still? Otherwise I think you'd have to block the opening entirely or she'd just go back...we tried this and she still sat in front of it instead
(I have chicken experience, but I've always stole the broodys eggs and have never done this! I want to try with the little broody cochin bantams...)
UPDATE:
I decided to give her my 4 incubator eggs 2 days ago. They are due to hatch tonight. I tried to replace her golf balls in the dark, but couldn't see so I turned on the light and lifted her up for the exchange. She looked at them for a minute and then said, OK and pushed them under. She has been on lock down since.
I have now seen broody pooh, not cool. This morning she did not even get up to eat. Which I am hoping is a good sign. She is not quite a pit bull, but roared like a mountain lion at me this morning when I tried to look. She also pecked me so hard it left a mark.
Cross your fingers for me. If nothing, I do have 5 of her eggs in the bator, they are on day 4.
