Dublin Dave Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 Hi All, We have had a broody hen on and off all summer and have tried all indian tricks to put her off to no avail. We finally put six eggs under her on Monday (24/08). She through all her birthdays had come at once and walked straight onto them and spread her wings. She is very happy and clucking away, doing everything nature asks! She is in an iglu with another hen who sits onher sometimes. Should I remove one of the hens now or will I leave it another week or so. Would it be safe to leave the two in the iglu full time. Any advice would be aprechiated. Thanks Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 You will need to separate them as the brood goes on as the other hen will disturb the sitter and when the chicks hatch the other hen will almost certainly go for the chicks Good luck with the hatch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dublin Dave Posted August 27, 2009 Author Share Posted August 27, 2009 Thanks for that, With risk of somebody else making my tough decisions, will I make up a new run for my hen (ruby the leghorn) that's still laying and a new house for her as they will be separated by my maths for about 5 weeks at least! Will it be easier to reintegrate them eventually if they can see each other? I thought toddlers were hard to please................. Our broody (Black Plymouth Rock Max) is sitting on five Light Sussex Eggs and one Barnevelder eggs. Thanks Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 There are two ways of looking at it: 1) the chicken who is not broody should get the existing house and run as she will be out and about a lot more 2) the broody should get the existing house and run as if she hatches the eggs sucessfully there will be lots of room for her chicks My choice would be option 1 personally as chicks can easily pick up nasties from a 'contaminated' run and the adult hen poo in the run can cause them to get Coccidiosis (sp??) I would build a small run and house for the broody on completely clean ground, a rabbit hutch and run is fine provided it is good quality and secure (you may want to put a skirt of wire round the outside (like the Eglu run) And yes I agree that its a goiod idea for them to be able to see each other Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dublin Dave Posted August 28, 2009 Author Share Posted August 28, 2009 Hi, I will have to start building over the weekend. Many thanks for the advice and I will kepp you posted as we go along. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
