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[xGosipGirlx]

I have a broody hen with 5 eggs. (She had six but broke one around week 1) she is barely a year old, she is a prairie bluebell egger. so last night I put her in a different nesting spot because her chicks are due to hatch today and her nesting box is really high up and I didn’t want the chicks to fall. I think she stayed on the nest but this morning she was back to her original nest. I checked the eggs and thank goodness none had hatched or would’ve been killed by the other hens. but at the same time none had hatched!! the eggs were cold! (As cold as it gets here in NC, it’s 59 in the mornings) did I kill the chicks?! I put them back under her and one was peeping really loudly so I know one was alive. but statistically speaking I don’t think she moved during the night, and I checked on her at 7am and the sun rises at around 5-6am so she couldn’t have been off the eggs for more than an hour right?? help

 

[muddy75]

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC. I doubt that you harmed them. The ones that were developed may hatch a little late.
I generally "trap" the hen with the eggs when I move them. I keep my broodies inside the coop, in a hardware wrapped kennel from day 19 until the chicks are about 3 days old. Then I candle any left over eggs and pop them in a small incubator if they are viable. If they hatch I put them under the broody in the evening. Good luck with your chicks!

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!

When I used to let hens hatch, they showed the chicks the way down the ladder. Assuming you don’t have this, what I’d do is wait until they all hatch, or no longer than three days after the first one hatches, and move her to a nest on the floor. If you have a large box on its side or crate you could put the nest in, she’d like that better. Then can put their water and crumbles close by. If there are eggs left behind in the nest, candle them and if alive, put them under her.

Wishing you a great hatch!

 

[CrazyForMyPeeps802]

Hello and welcome to BYC we're happy to have you here in this poultry loving community!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Sadly, you learn the hard way never to move a hen once she has begun setting. They graft to the nest site, not the eggs. I don't think any harm was done but in the future when you get a broody, get her setup where you want her to set and make sure she's locked on before you give her the hatching eggs. Good luck with the hatch!

 

[N F C]

Best wishes with the hatch, let us know how it turns out!

 

[CCsGarden]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Mill Chick]

I have a broody hen with 5 eggs. (She had six but broke one around week 1) she is barely a year old, she is a prairie bluebell egger. so last night I put her in a different nesting spot because her chicks are due to hatch today and her nesting box is really high up and I didn’t want the chicks to fall. I think she stayed on the nest but this morning she was back to her original nest. I checked the eggs and thank goodness none had hatched or would’ve been killed by the other hens. but at the same time none had hatched!! the eggs were cold! (As cold as it gets here in NC, it’s 59 in the mornings) did I kill the chicks?! I put them back under her and one was peeping really loudly so I know one was alive. but statistically speaking I don’t think she moved during the night, and I checked on her at 7am and the sun rises at around 5-6am so she couldn’t have been off the eggs for more than an hour right?? help

How are the eggs doing?

 

[xGosipGirlx]

Best wishes with the hatch, let us know how it turns out!

it has gone horribly, I bought her six chicks to add to her clutch and she has tried to kill them I am so disappointed. I now have to not only raise her chicks but the addition chicks that she incubated. she is only about 9 months so I have learned my lesson to not trust a broody that is less that a year.