Worried about my Broody Hen...(PICS)

[Kittymomma]

At this point I think I would move her if she was mine. Moving them is a risk and I've had it go well and.....well, not so well. Here's why I think it's worth the risk in your case. You have other hens laying in the nest. If you don't mark her eggs and remove the extras daily you'll end up with eggs that will be left in the nest after the others hatch. You also run the risk of other hens breaking the eggs while the get on/off the nest and of your broody going back to another nest if hers is being used. If you don't want to move her I'd at least block her off/in so that the other hens can't mess around with her nest. She's a pretty girl.

If you do chose to move her be sure to do it at night and keep her new nest area coverd and dark the next morning as well--that's the only way it's ever worked for me.

 

[TurkeyMountainChickens]

I read somewhere that in wild chicken populations, the rooster will bring tidbits to a broody hen.

I keep food and water in the broody box, but I also bring mine nice, juicy, treats so I KNOW she's fed and hydrated. She's expecially fond of crickets and stink bugs!

 

[Keri78]

I know this has already been said but put a little food and water right next to her ...at least that's what I did so she didn't HAVE to get up there at the ed of the hatch. She's going to keep those little babies right under her belly so they will be safe and sound at least for the first day or so. After my broody hatched her eggs I just moved her & the babies into a little rubbermaid tote with shavings food & water. She taught them how to eat & drink and she keeps them snuggy warm! I still have to pick her up and take her outside for a "potty break" 3 times a day b/c otherwise she won't do it! Typical Mama...doesn't even make time to go potty!

You're going to LOVE IT!!!! Please keep us posted when the babies arrive! Just remember she knows EXACTLY how to do it and the less you interrupt her the better. Blessings, Keri

 

[bobbi-j]

You mean I don't have to stay there 24/7?!!!!

I'll have to admit, when I've had eggs in the incubator, I've stayed up all night to watch them hatch....

If you decide to move her before the chicks hatch, it's good to move her and the eggs at night. (I wish I could say that I was smart enough to come up with this myself, but I got the information from here) It's much less traumatic for her. I don't know if you want to do it if they'll be hatching soon, though. Hopefully someone with more experience than I have can help you out there. If you can't move her, marking the eggs is a good idea, along with trying to keep the other hens out of the nest. Beautiful girl, btw. Good luck!

 

[krazycow6]

sounds exactly like our gwynn, this is her first clutch. She is doing amazing, her EHD is 4/22. GOOD LUCK and take lots of pics when they hatch!!

 

[babsbag]

I just went this same thing. I took mine off the nest everday until "lockdown" and put her by her food and water and she ate, drank, and, POOPED. Then she would go right back to the nest. She never tried to peck at me, just squawked alot.

We moved her into our spare bedroom 2 days before hatch. She was in a nest up off the ground and the chicks would have fallen out. It took them 2.5 days to hatch out so the first ones were pretty mobile before the last ones hatched. I have not taken her back out to the coop yet, that will be next week. They aren't even a week old yet. I am not sure how to reintroduce them, still working on that one.