Broody hen: Should I separate her from the rest of the flock?

Merin Porter

I am sorry, I don't have a good answer. But, I'm very curious to know what others have done!

Casey Cash

Hey Merin,

When my hens go broody I've always found it best to leave them in the spot they have chosen (as long as it is safe). Once they chicks have hatched and are dry I move mama and chicks to the brooder box.

In my experience, if you try to move the hen and clutch while she is broody she may ditch the eggs she was sitting on and try to get back to where her nest was before.

Hope this helps!

 

Ruth Ann Reyes

Thanks Casey!

Merin Porter

Thanks, Casey! They are in a nest box in a very secure coop -- but of course that means that all my other hens and my two roosters have access to them, too. It might be two or three days until all the chicks who are going to hatch, hatch, isn't that right? Do you think the newly hatched chicks will be safe if the rest of the flock have access to them until everyone hatches who is going to and I can move them all to the brooder box?

 

Casey Cash

Hey Merin,

In my experience the freshly hatched chicks are pretty safe with Mama Hen during the first few days. From what i've seen they tend to stay underneath her most of the time until they are dry anyways. Depending on the temperament of the broody hen, she will keep other chickens away from her and the babies, so I wouldn't worry too much about the other chickens bothering the nest. We have a tiny silky who is broody right now and she shares the coop with a bunch of Americaunas. She may be small, but the other chickens know not to mess with her!

[Deleted User]

Thanks, Casey! I'll let her stay with her eggs in the nest box and just keep an eye on things once they start hatching....