Okay, so...where to start. I have a Gold Laced Wyandotte that went all broody on me about 2 weeks ago. I tried taking her out of the nest over and over, I even took her out to the pasture where the flock was to free range. She'd stay out about 5 minutes and then high tail it back to the coop, and jump back in a nest. So, to make a long story short, I decided since she was sitting there, and seemed intent on staying put, she might as well hatch some eggs. I got 8 Jersy Giant eggs and put them under her. She was on them all night, and still on them in the morning when I went out to open up the run. I fed her a little breakfast in the nest, and gave her a drink of water. She was contently on her nest and new eggs last time I saw her, about 11:00. I left to go to a class at about noon, leaving hubby in charge. When I returned at 5:30 pm and went out to check on everyone and collect eggs. There she was, still in a nest, but not the right one! She was in the nest next to the one with the JG eggs. Of course there were some eggs in the nest she was in too, that had been laid by other hens that day, but they're not the ones I want her to hatch... There were also 2 extra eggs in the nest she had been on with the JG eggs. I figure she got out to get a bite to eat and take care of business, and someone took her spot. So, she just took the next nest over. The eggs didn't have anyone sitting on them for a while, so what are the chances they're still viable? Any ideas on how I can stop this from happening, keeping in mind I don't have all that much more room in the coop to put a carrier or brooder/broody nest contraption in, and I have 23 other hens that use the coop to lay eggs in and roost in. (and 1 big fat roo too) Any advise will be appreciated. This is a first for me, and maybe I didn't think this all the way through. I don't have an incubator either, just a fat broody hen that I was trying to give a job too. I'm sure she would happily sit on them and get back on them, but I don't know how to keep the others off her nest so she can. Please tell me what the heck I'm doing! Thanks!
My Silkies left the nest for about 5hrs and they still hatched 11 of 17 eggs they were sitting on. 15 of them were shipped, too. If I were you, I'd separate her.
You might try putting her (with the nest/eggs) in a large dog crate (w/food & water). You could open it up each morning or evening for an hour or so when you're home. I think there's a decent chance the eggs are still viable. Maybe the egg/nest exchange didn't happen until shortly before you got home??? Broodies will leave the nests sometimes to eat/drink/dust bathe, etc., although any I've had never stayed off the nest longer than 30 minutes or so at a time. I'd give it a go - you can always candle to see if things are looking up...
Some years ago, I was in the same situation. I checked on them 4 or 5 times a day and rearranged as needed. I would also take her off the nest and get her eating and drinking morning and evening, so I could see that she got back on the right nest. They need to get up and move a little, I figured. I guess the eggs got covered enough - by one or another - because they all hatched. Not ideal, but it worked -- if you have the time to do this.
So, I just move her away from all the other hens? Completely? She won't get lonely... ? Should I just put her in a crate, in my yard and open it up during the day so she can walk out and eat and drink if she needs to? I thought I would have problems putting her back in with the others if I did that. Thanks for the quick responses! Yinz rock! @ Judy, I do usually have time, so maybe I'll give that a try before I relocate her. Happy to hear many had success even though the conditions weren't perfect! Thanks again all!
If you go with the crate idea, and your coop is large enough I'd just keep it in there. I wouldn't just leave the crate in the yard, as that doesn't sound super predator proof.
