Chicken bald back

[chickensaregreat]

I harbor currently got five broodies at different stages of being broody time wise, a friend has had an issue with one of her broodies and I have said that she can put some eggs under one of mine to give them something to do! But I'm not getting the eggs until Monday... So I was wondering if anyone had any tips to keep a Broody for another week before the egg come! I'm worried now that I've offered their services they'll all get bored! Should I take one out into another house or keep them altogether? I've got one fake egg which one is currently sitting on but I can't leave their eggs in there as they live with a cockerel and I don't want Pekin chicks as well!

Thanks

[Beantree]

You need to take your selected broody out and put her into a secure coop and run suitable for chicks Chickensaregreat. I'd pick a mature hen in top condition and be sure she is free of lice and mites. Put hard boiled eggs under her if you like. I've never tried it but can't see a problem. When your friends eggs arrive just swap them over. You may find that your hen gives up because she will have been broody too long. So advise your friend of the risk as you may have to swap broodies perhaps? Not something I've ever done.

[sjp]

you need to keep her sitting on a couple of eggs personally I'd not risk hard boiled egg for a week as there's a chance they'll go bad as they'll get warm enough for bacteria to grow in them and if for any reason the broody decides to eat one of them it won't do her any good I'd pick the one that's only just gone broody but that has at least hatched eggs successfully once the put a couple of your own fertile eggs under her until you get the eggs of your friend just to keep her interested

[chickensaregreat]

Thanks for your help! I've now got her in a house on her own sitting on a couple of fake eggs to keep her occupied until the other eggs arrive, I'm hoping that will keep her going as she is not having to share a next box with four others!