What to do with this hen?

[3nglishteacher]

My first flock, 22 hens & 4 roos (I know -- we're harvesting 3 next weekend), 6 mos. old, free range by day, all go in the coop at dusk and I lock them up for the night. A week ago or so , we were missing one. Today, dh pulled the tarp off the mower and there she sat on 18 eggs!~! Will she possibly return to the coop at night when the roo count is down? Should we include her in our "harvest"? What do you do with a maverick?
Thanks,
Karen

 

[SterlingAcres]

So she's broody or you pulled her off the eggs?

 

[wyliefarms]

She's setting on a mountain of eggs! Let her set, you may get some chicks since you have roosters. Too bad though on the loss of eggs to eat!

Keep her and taking the other roosters away won't change her.

When you apporched her did she make a warning nosie and fluff up her feathers?

I think it is 20 some days so let her be for a month and see if anything hatches.

 

[Mahonri]

Throw the tarp back in place and let her hatch out those eggs!

 

[LoneCowboy]

Don't harvest her, she didn't do anything wrong. It's her nature to go broody and sit on eggs. It's very cute really. She found herself a safe place away from the others and any harm and She's going to make you a grandma

Congrats.

 

[Bi0sC0mp]

NO reason to harvest her just caused she is sitting on eggs that is her nature let her hatch them out then she will go back to the coop at night..

 

[silkiechicken]

Yep, she's doing what nature intended by trying to hatch out eggs! Let her set it out and if she hatches some, you'll have more! If she doesn't, then not much is lost.

 

[3nglishteacher]

Actually we did just throw the tarp back over and left the eggs alone -- after a few pics! And yes, she made a ferocious fuss when dh rustled her up. We brought up food and water -- I can't fathom what she's been eating other than bugs. And while I don't relish the idea of feeding another dozen or so chicks thru the winter, with feed prices going up, I'm curious to see how this'll play out.

Thanks!
kl

 

[eggsgalore]

That's the kindest thing to do. Good luck with the fall chicks. She'll keep them nice and warm. Is she protected from predators? I too thought that one of the hens had found this brilliant hidden spot but she was taken by a raccoon one night, including the eggs.

 

[Chickenrox]

18 eggs in one week? Maybe-if so she's a keeper!!!