Should I move my broody Pekin?

[Anonymous]

Hello all

I went out to feed the hens this morning and saw the usual bigguns, the hooligan little boot pecker did his usual attacking of my wellies but no sign of my pekin hen. She's usually the first to get to me ahead of the others. I looked around and eventually found huddled in the corner of the shelter looking a bit dishevelled. I thought at first she was ill but upon closer inspection, I saw she was sitting on about six eggs!

I thought she'd stopped laying about a week ago but it looks like she had a change of scenery. I'd rather see her in her house but unsure whether I should move her and the eggs. Would the move cause her more stress than it's worth?

Osric

 

[podstable]

Hi Osric--Id put her somewhere warm , dry and safe from predators with her eggs (sounds as if shes sitting outside? ) As long as you are quiet and gentle it shouldnt disturb her - if shes not safe and dry she may well leave the nest anyway . Ros

 

[Anonymous]

Hello

She was wandering around this afternoon so moved the eggs into her house with some extra straw. If she continues to sit on them then I'll build an enclosure for her to keep her safe, dry and draught free and I'll keep a close eye on her.

Osric

 

[snifter]

If she is broody and sitting you need to ensure she has some time off the eggs to feed, drink and poo each day. Even if its just for 10-15 minutes. I'd not advise to take her off the eggs but to have her in a pen where you know she is the only one eating the food etc. That way you can be sure of what she eats and what she is pooing. Broody hens usually come off their eggs once a day to feed etc. And they tend to do one HUGE poo which should be decent showing white and normal poo so you can see they are taking in water (white part of the poo) and food.

If you see no sign of her coming off the eggs then I'd suggest lifting her off for 15 minutes to feed etc. Make sure she is settled back on the eggs after then. But I'd defo keep her apart from other chooks. And also once chicks hatch for a bit as they can be really fesity with other chooks once chicks are running round. So long as they have a decent amount of space though she should be fine.

Also ensure the run ground does not get wet as she'll pick it up on her feathering and feet and get the eggs wet/dirty which won't help them. They need to remain dry and clean where possible. Although a bit of dirt will get on them with a broody hen.

Also ensure you are feeding her some good food to help keep her in decent condition while sitting

Personally I don't let my girls sit so early on. Mainly as they are not in the best shape after a long winter and secondly as often they don't end up sitting the entire time and give up and get off the eggs after a week or two. This usually happens if it gets cold or wet or its their first time being broody. Also once chicks are here it can be a real struggle if the ground is wet or if it is cold. I tend to break mine and wait till April or beyond for them to go broody again and sit. I have hatched a couple of early batches under a broody but it was a lot of work keeping them in the stable and having a heat lamp as well as the broody due to it being so cold. And then they didn't go out till they were a few weeks old whereas spring/summer hatches I let out with the broody after a few days in the broody run.

 

[Anonymous]

Well after that bit of excitement, she doesn't seem interested now :?

I'm quite relieved as I'm a bit short on time to build a separate enclosure for her. I'm still trying to get the field ready for the battery hens and pigs.

I'm hoping she'll do the business in April-May sort of time. The weather will be much better and I'll have something built by then.

Thanks for the advice anyway!

Osric