4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[laurabeth67]

Hi,

I am trying to hatch my first batch of eggs under one of my Orpington bantams who has been broody for a few days. We have made a broody coop and settled her on it with the eggs last night. As far as I can tell she settled on the eggs all night.The problem is once the door to the main coop was open she rushed back to the nest box here. I put the eggs under her here as I didn't want them to get cold but am now wondering what to do. There is only one nest box in the main coop although the others could use the broody coop! Also I'm concerned about the chicks hatching in the main coop. I currently have 3 Orpington bantams, one Pekin bantam and an ex-battery hen all of whom are quite mellow. Should I try and keep her in the broody coop (it's basically a rabbit hutch with small run attached and she has access to food and water here) but think she may get off the nest continually to get back to the main coop, or should I leave her in the main coop and try and move her when the hatch completes?

Thanks for any advice!

[sjp]

I'd lock her in the broody coop for the rest of the day as it sounds like she was 100% broody open the broody nest box about half 5 tonight so he can have a drink and a feed etc but keep the run closed but be prepared for her to give up in a day or 2 if she's not a serious broody or a first timer

[miller30]

They always do this as they just like to sit where they want to. my broodys get moved at night into rabbit hutches with joint on pens so when they come out for food and water there is no where else for them to go some dont mind but some through a paddy which i just ignore they either sit on eggs or snap out of it and then go back to the main coop until they get into the routine they sit on duff eggs and then when i know they are ok i put the fertile eggs under at night i can have upto 17broodys a year so cant be mucking around with everyone hogging my nest boxes leanne

[Redwing]

The hen should be shut in the broody run and not have access to the main coop, its even more ideal if she can be out of sight of the others, distractions are bad!

 

if she wont sit in the broody coop itself try shutting her in there with the eggs

 

If she doesnt settle on the eggs then she probably isnt seriously broody enough

[laurabeth67]

Thanks for the replies. I will try moving her and eggs tonight and keep the door to the broody coop run shut. Fingers crossed!