What do you do when this happens?

[rainee63]

Last time I found a broody hen on a nest outside the coop I totally botched it. Well, I did manage to hatch out 11 of 16 eggs after I scared the hen off the nest trying to 'protect it.' This time it's almost December. About to turn cold here. Would you leave her alone? Take her eggs? Idk what to do.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

She'll be able to keep them warm enough but I wouldn't leave her outside the coop. How do you protect her from predators?

 

[Hope Hughes]

When mine do this:
I wait a little while after nightfall and I will move her and her eggs in a big dog crate (really any size as long as she has some room, I just have a large one I like to use) and put her in the coop or run if your coop isn't big enough. Put enough pine shavings in it so she can make her nest in it. Some hens don' like to be moves in the beginning of their bloody adventure so she may protest or not do it at all. I like to test by putting one egg in first then her and if she accepts the move, then put all the rest of the eggs under her. It may take a few times for her to know that your are trying to help. I had to do it two nights in a row twice each night until one of one would finally just sit on them in the box. My hens are now used to being moved they just accept the change lol​

 

[igorsMistress]

Is this the same hen as last time?

 

[rainee63]

Is this the same hen as last time?

No, it's my little blue australorp this time! I made such a mess of things last time!!

 

[rainee63]

She'll be able to keep them warm enough but I wouldn't leave her outside the coop. How do you protect her from predators?

That's what I'm worried about. My dog is the one who alerted me to her nest. I don't think she'd hurt the hen, but she might find a way to get to the eggs. And I have cats that would get any chicks that would hatch.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Not to mention raccoons, opossums, weasels, owls, etc..

 

[igorsMistress]

No, it's my little blue australorp this time! I made such a mess of things last time!!

You did your best and tried to keep everyone safe
Keeping my fingers and toes for you. I would have tried to help too!

 

[rainee63]

You did your best and tried to keep everyone safe
Keeping my fingers and toes for you. I would have tried to help too!

Thanks! I WAS trying to help! Overdid it a little I think. Lol

 

[rainee63]

When mine do this:
I wait a little while after nightfall and I will move her and her eggs in a big dog crate (really any size as long as she has some room, I just have a large one I like to use) and put her in the coop or run if your coop isn't big enough. Put enough pine shavings in it so she can make her nest in it. Some hens don' like to be moves in the beginning of their bloody adventure so she may protest or not do it at all. I like to test by putting one egg in first then her and if she accepts the move, then put all the rest of the eggs under her. It may take a few times for her to know that your are trying to help. I had to do it two nights in a row twice each night until one of one would finally just sit on them in the box. My hens are now used to being moved they just accept the change lol​

Moving them at night makes sense. Or just around bedtime. I have a large cage I can use. Do you let her out of the crate when you move them to the coop? Or just put crate and all inside? I have a little coop with nesting boxes I could move her to. Just trying to decide which would be less stressful.