Ok the broody Orpington I have has been sitting on 5 cream crested legbars since yesterday eve. no problems. It seems I need to move her away from direct contact with the others, the thing is I'm not sure where and when is best in this cycle (other than dusk!)
The choices....
I have a 40x5 foot chicken run with an open ended shed type design so they can go in out as they please, they do not roost on the perches provided but will sometimes during the day. Anyway above their nesting boxes is an inbuilt open plan hutch which is empty. It measures 60cm in length 40cm in depth and is 60cm high. Would this be suitable to move her to, if so when? I guess I'd keep her there from whenever we moved her until just after the chicks have hatched ie the early few days of motherhood and whilst the chicks were very young and susceptible and then move them to the option below but you guys tell me lol!
I have a 1m x 2m x 70cm high rabbit run which has shelter on roof ONLY ie not the sides. Our bunny lives out all year and he has a trixie house covered with towelling so he can pop in and out as he wishes like the hens! It would offer a fab. private and weather proof shelter for the Orpington and her chicks but she would never fit in the door!! I do however have an unused rabbit hutch that I could put in there which is 90cm long, 40cm deep and 45cm high which would provide great shelter but is that large enough (of course it would be inside the run).
I have a garage but whilst in many ways perfect it has no windows and I couldn't leave the door open in case cats got in and I can't keep her in the dark! I have no shed either
There are the options folks what shall I do and when shall I do it? Can I leave moving her until after candling the eggs?
Thanks so much for putting up with me and my questions!!