Broody is hatching eggs in nest 2 feet of the floor….

[Crs1]

The eggs are at various hatch time. Can I put her on a nest in a cage now on the floor? I’m thinking that won’t be very easy and I would like for her to hatch as many as she’s willing to.

2nd question how do I get them to sit on eggs on the floor to begin with? My .chickens are austrolorp and buff Orpington so I have a lot of chances for them to go broody but that’s what I wanted. Just concerned about them sitting on eggs 2 feet in the air. Any suggestions?

Thank you Connie
KCMO

 

[sourland]

She may break broodiness if you move her to the floor. Staggered hatches are usually problematic as she is biologically programmed to leave the nest somewhere around 36 hours after the first chick hatches so that the chicks can eat and drink. Removing the chicks as they hatch may extend the length of time she will remain setting.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Just concerned about them sitting on eggs 2 feet in the air. Any suggestions?

My nests are 2 and 4 feet above the coop floor. That's not a problem. When Mama is ready for them to leave the nest she hops down, calls to them, and they jump down where she is. I've seen a broody hen get her chicks out of a ten feet high hayloft using this method. They jump down, bounce up on their feet, and run to her. In that regard they are a lot tougher than many people think they are.

Can I put her on a nest in a cage now on the floor?

You can try. Many hens will accept a move though some break from being broody when you try. I suggest a fairly dark cage that she cannot get out of and move her at night after it is really dark. Have food and water in the cage.

2nd question how do I get them to sit on eggs on the floor to begin with?

You can try putting your regular nests on the floor if they will use them. Some people do, you just have to bend over to collect the eggs.