Chicken Keeping Secrets

“My neighbors Barred Rock hen has taken up to laying her eggs in my barn. My neighbor has given me the hen and this week she has started sitting on her clutch of twelve eggs. My questions is should I move her and the eggs to my coupe or just let her be for now in the barn and move them after the chicks are hatched? What kind of protection can I give her in the barn? My other girls are Buff Orphingtons about 6 months old. Any suggestions, please. Thank you,” ~ Dan Duffy, Cottage Grove, Oregon.

Hi Dan, thanks for the question.

I would suggest leaving your adopted hen and her clutch right where they are.

If she were already a part of your flock, you would have the option to move her but because she is not an established member of the pecking order, you’re better off leaving her where she is.

As far as provisions for her in the barn; make sure she has food and water within close proximity. She’ll be hesitant to leave her nest so if her nourishment is close, she won’t have to worry about the safety of her clutch while she is gone. (more…)

“My broody hen doesn’t seem to be getting off her nest very often, I’m worried that she’s not eating and drinking enough. Should I take her off her nest?” ~ Sharon Carmichael

Thanks for the question Sharon.

A broody hen instinctively stays on her nest to protect the eggs and keep them warm enough so that the developing chicks will thrive. If the eggs get chilled, the chicks will not survive. If the eggs are left unprotected, another chicken or a predator might do damage to them and her chicks will not survive.

A good broody hen knows that survival is only possible if she properly protects her clutch.

For this reason, a broody hen leaves the nest rarely and only when it is absolutely necessary.

She will often leave her nest only once a day for less then 15 minutes to eat, drink, stretch and defecate. (more…)