when to move broody hen

[sonjap]

Hi all,

After 4 years I have my first broody!
She just settled in on Sunday and she is in the main coop. I have a smaller coop I will move her to when it's time. My question is, when is it time? ;-)
I'm not sure if I should move her now and risk her quitting on them since it's only been a few days, or wait until they start to hatch and move them then, or maybe in a week or so. I don't know at what point they are firmly attached to the eggs or the process.

 

[nchls school]

Hi all,

After 4 years I have my first broody!
She just settled in on Sunday and she is in the main coop. I have a smaller coop I will move her to when it's time. My question is, when is it time?  ;-)
I'm not sure if I should move her now and risk her quitting on them since it's only been a few days, or wait until they start to hatch and move them then, or maybe in a week or so. I don't know at what point they are firmly attached to the eggs or the process.

Is there a way to make her present nest off limits to the other chickens and move her once the chicks have all hatched? Not all hens take a move. What breed is she? Some breeds move well like my silkies and other breeds are not so tolerant. If you do move her do so with the knowledge that she might abandon the eggs. Move her soon (couple of days}. Do not move her when the eggs are hatching; if something goes wrong, and many things could go wrong, losing the chicks would be very disappointing. When I have to move a broody hen I give her dummy eggs until I'm sure she has accepted the move then give her good eggs to brood. Good luck.

 

[sonjap]

The next box is the middle one in a row of 3 so there's no way to block it without blocking her in. She is low man on the totem pole too so the other hens do peck at her and make her get off while they lay in there. I guess that answers my question. I should move her tonight.
She is a Cucoo Maran.

 

[nchls school]

The next box is the middle one in a row of 3 so there's no way to block it without blocking her in. She is low man on the totem pole too so the other hens do peck at her and make her get off while they lay in there. I guess that answers my question. I should move her tonight.
She is a Cucoo Maran.

I'd wait another day to be sure she is brooding tight. It could make the difference between accepting the move or not. It's only been two days; give her a bit more time before you move her. Good luck.

 

[sonjap]

Ok, that sounds like a good idea. Thanks!