first time broody hen & human mama

[Debbie292d]

Leone has her own private apartment. I fenced off a 5' section underneath the roost platform. I wasn't sure but thought that was the way to go so she couldn't get bullied out of her nest & also so she would be all set when the babies hatched & the others couldn't bully them. Then after a couple days maybe let them mingle for a bit each day or still keep them separate with their own yard area. Maybe I'm over thinking all this. Anyway---that's the set up.
So, reading some other threads----it's not uncommon for the hen to even take an hour break??? Guess I can relax some. I'm going to be gone 4/28 - 5/1 but now planning on cutting it back a day. Will get her off the nest 4/28 in the morning before I leave at noon then plan to be home 4/30 by noon & get her up & out then. Someone will be here to do chores but not this extra duty.
Also wondering about candling. I've read both ways when a hen is setting as opposed to an incubator. By day 10 & at night, I'm wondering if that will just be un-necessary stress to her. But I'm not crazy about exploding rotten eggs either!!
Well, thanks in advance to any words of wisdom.
ydnak
(Kandy)

Once they hatch, you could open that fence and let her roam about with the chicks as she will protect them. A lot of times the rooster will help the mother as well. It doesn't take long for all of the other hens to know "hands off," and they'll leave her and her chicks alone. A mother hen would die for her chicks so those other hens know it.

 

[DobieLover]

By day 10 & at night, I'm wondering if that will just be un-necessary stress to her. But I'm not crazy about exploding rotten eggs either!!
Well, thanks in advance to any words of wisdom.
ydnak

I currently have a hen setting on a nest of very expensive eggs. Yesterday was the one week mark and I did candle. I had one dud that was removed and the rest are developing well. I will not candle again.
She was very mad at me during the entire procedure. But we had it done in less than 2 minutes. This morning she has forgiven me completely!

Normally, I would leave the door to the ward open during the entire incubation period. But because of the expense of these eggs, I am not doing that this time.
Another reason I may choose to completely manage her breaks is if the hen herself is not able to stay on her nest when another hen may want to drive her off.

I close the door the day before the hatch starts and it stays closed until the chicks are about 3 days old and highly mobile. Then I open it. The hen will permit some of her friends and absolutely the rooster to come visit her chicks at this point. If any hen attempts to come in to check out the chicks that mom does not like, that hen will be very quickly driven out. When the mother feels comfortable, she will bring her chicks out to roam around the coop and the covered run. At this point, she no longer needs the maternity ward.

 

[janiedoe]

Leone has her own private apartment. I fenced off a 5' section underneath the roost platform. I wasn't sure but thought that was the way to go so she couldn't get bullied out of her nest & also so she would be all set when the babies hatched & the others couldn't bully them. Then after a couple days maybe let them mingle for a bit each day or still keep them separate with their own yard area. Maybe I'm over thinking all this. Anyway---that's the set up.
So, reading some other threads----it's not uncommon for the hen to even take an hour break??? Guess I can relax some. I'm going to be gone 4/28 - 5/1 but now planning on cutting it back a day. Will get her off the nest 4/28 in the morning before I leave at noon then plan to be home 4/30 by noon & get her up & out then. Someone will be here to do chores but not this extra duty.
Also wondering about candling. I've read both ways when a hen is setting as opposed to an incubator. By day 10 & at night, I'm wondering if that will just be un-necessary stress to her. But I'm not crazy about exploding rotten eggs either!!
Well, thanks in advance to any words of wisdom.
ydnak
(Kandy)

I've never had an egg explode with a broody. I have had them roll rotten eggs out of the nest. I don't generally candle my broody's eggs unless they do roll them out, a hen quits sitting, or if its day 25 and some haven't hatched.
Your plan to keep them seperate but there they can socialize sounds great.

 

[ydnak]

Again, Thanks sooooo much to each one for your advice. Yesterday her time out & about was a good hour & today little less than 1/2 hour. Both times tho. she did not return to her eggs but to a regular nest box. Also, she ate & drank both days. Sooo glad to see.
ydnak
(Kandy)

 

[DobieLover]

Again, Thanks sooooo much to each one for your advice. Yesterday her time out & about was a good hour & today little less than 1/2 hour. Both times tho. she did not return to her eggs but to a regular nest box. Also, she ate & drank both days. Sooo glad to see.
ydnak
(Kandy)

I would continue to physically manage her breaks and lock her in after you redirect her back to the correct nest until the hatch.

 

[ydnak]

Well, almost 2 weeks & she's staying faithful. Still wanting to just go to a regular lay box & not to her nest but I try to keep a close tab on her time out & about so the eggs are not left too long. She did eat & drink before heading out the door today. I sure wish she would do this on her own----worrying about her losing weight but guess she'll be ok.
Thanks again for y'alls input
Kandy