Will broody hen "steal" eggs from other nests?

[gtaus]

I have a broody hen that has been sitting on a nest for just over a week. In my setup, I have 3 nest boxes for 10 hens. In each nest box, I have 2 fake wooden eggs. I have no rooster, so none of the eggs would be fertile.

This morning, I went out to collect eggs and there was 1 "real" egg in each of the empty nests. But one nest box had only 1 wooden egg. When I checked under the broody hen, I discovered she had 5 eggs - 2 "real" eggs and 3 wooden eggs! How did a fake wooden egg get from one of the other nest boxes under the broody hen? For the past week, I have been finding 1 or 2 "real" eggs under the broody hen, but assumed that maybe other hens laid eggs in the nest box when the broody hen left to eat and drink.

But now I wonder, is the broody hen stealing eggs from other nest boxes? How did a fake wooden egg get moved from one nest box to another?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yes. They absolutely steal eggs.
Since none are fertile, it is best to break her broodiness now.

 

[Sonya9]

It is really important that all of her eggs start incubating on the same day so they all hatch on the same day. They should be marked with a pen on the first day so you can collect any new ones that appear.

If other hens add eggs to her nest the hatch schedule will lead to dead eggs/chicks, eggs get broken, or she may even get confused and sit on the wrong nest leaving the eggs to die.

You still have time to fix this. You could candle the eggs under her and only leave the ones that appear to be about a week along in development OR give her new marked eggs.

 

[Shadrach]

I have a broody hen that has been sitting on a nest for just over a week. In my setup, I have 3 nest boxes for 10 hens. In each nest box, I have 2 fake wooden eggs. I have no rooster, so none of the eggs would be fertile.

This morning, I went out to collect eggs and there was 1 "real" egg in each of the empty nests. But one nest box had only 1 wooden egg. When I checked under the broody hen, I discovered she had 5 eggs - 2 "real" eggs and 3 wooden eggs! How did a fake wooden egg get from one of the other nest boxes under the broody hen? For the past week, I have been finding 1 or 2 "real" eggs under the broody hen, but assumed that maybe other hens laid eggs in the nest box when the broody hen left to eat and drink.

But now I wonder, is the broody hen stealing eggs from other nest boxes? How did a fake wooden egg get moved from one nest box to another?

Yep, bunch of thieves.
I've never managed to catch one doing it though.

 

[Shadrach]

It is really important that all of her eggs start incubating on the same day so they all hatch on the same day. They should be marked with a pen on the first day so you can collect any new ones that appear.

Yes.

If other hens add eggs to her nest the hatch schedule will lead to dead eggs/chicks, eggs get broken, or she may even get confused and sit on the wrong nest leaving the eggs to die.

Yes.

You still have time to fix this. You could candle the eggs under her and only leave the ones that appear to be about a week along in development OR give her new marked eggs.

No.
Once a hen has set her clutch they should not be disturbed for the first three days at least.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I have a hen that will walk over to eggs I get out from under her and take them back when I'm checking over other birds

 

[sourland]

Yes they will - the maternal instinct is strong.

 

[Sonya9]

No.
Once a hen has set her clutch they should not be disturbed for the first three days at least.

I meant if there are a "mix" of eggs some of which have incubated for days and some of which were just laid. Better to have one cease development at a week old than half a dozen almost fully formed chicks die later because the hatch date was off.

Though I just noticed the op said she doesn't have a rooster so all of the eggs are infertile anyway.

 

[Shadrach]

I meant if there are a "mix" of eggs some of which have incubated for days and some of which were just laid. Better to have one cease development at a week old than half a dozen almost fully formed chicks die later because the hatch date was off.

Though I just noticed the op said she doesn't have a rooster so all of the eggs are infertile anyway.

I've possibly misunderstood your post then.
I'm quite keen to discourage those who are under the impression it is okay to candle eggs during the first three days. I'm not getting very far.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Personally, I candle the third day. Can't help myself. I've never lost an egg I did that with and I make sure to do it with hens I know won't leave the nest because of that. I also don't toss any until day 14

But if you aren't sure how the hen will react, then I wouldn't risk it