[scabs]

Sophie has been very vocal this morning and I went out to see what was distressing her, finally realised she was on her own and Chloe wes nowhere to be seen...

Finally found her, hidden under the hedge, behind a huge fern, sitting on an egg (which is fresh). I always have a good look around the garden, but I clearly missed this one - no idea how long it has been there, but I haven't noticed her 'missing' before today

Two things, do I just let her sit until 'it passes' or should I get her a fertile egg or two?

Also, if she is likely to be broody for a few weeks, would it make sense to get another chook to keep Sophie company?

I'm really new to this and have space for one, possibly two hens (the plan was always to make a larger run and coop on the allotment anyway...)

Unfortunately, I don't have a spare coop of the space at the moment... 

[Vember]

If I were you I'd keep shifting her off the eggs
Plenty of time next year for babies when you'll be more prepared

If you were to do it now she would need separate and secure housing for the next 3 weeks till hatch and then another 4/5 wks till the babies can go back to the big coop

Sarah

[scabs]

Yeah, it does seem a bit like running before you can walk.

I took the egg away, but she's sitting anyway...

[Vember]

You will have to keep moving her
The longer she sits the longer till you'll get eggs again, so it is worth persevering with her


Sarah

[scabs]

Will do, thanks.

[Elcie]

I have a broody at the moment, she has been broody for  17 days now.  She sits in the Eglu not harming anyone and the others lay their eggs quite happily.  I then go and remove the eggs as soon as possible after laying.  Should I be lifting her out of the next box more often then?  I just thought it would pass eventually?

[Vember]

Personally I keep moving them off the nest, if possible once the others have laid shut the coop door to stop her going back in

Sarah

[scabs]

They don't like being moved do they?  Stroppy so-and-so 

[ScottBarton]

One of my girls has just come out the other side of being broody. I had got some fertile eggs for her and she abandoned the nest on day 21. 

She is active again, but not laying eggs again yet.

[scabs]

It's looking good... she's been out and about all afternoon.

Strangely enough since the introduction of a new chook... could that have been enough to take her mind of sitting?

[8doubles]

Does anyone use a purpose made broody coop nowdays. Going back a few years a broody would be in a nestbox with a barred front and would only be let out twice a day for a stretch, feed and poop. This would dissuade the broody from giving up and leaving the nest before the hatch while giving her some protected seclusion.
Don`t think i`ve seen it mentioned on the forum is this because people have incubators as back up?

[broodyhen]

One of my girls has just come out the other side of being broody. I had got some fertile eggs for her and she abandoned the nest on day 21. 

She is active again, but not laying eggs again yet.

thats rotten luck  !!

i have had chooks for 2 months, i am completely new to it all and had 3. got rid of 1 cos she was a bully , gladys my warren died unexpectedly last weekend and my speck pat has been broody and has sat for 4 weeks - 1 on nothing - 3 on 6 fertile eggs - which all hatched on day 20!!! sadly we lost 1..... i just cannot believe the ups and downs of having these delightful little creatures.

i have had to research here, buy books, pick peoples brains as i wasnt expecting to go all through this in a short space of time!

wouldnt have it any other way tho 

broodyhen

[joyfull]

they like to keep us on our toes 

[scabs]

The good news: my wife reports that she isn't sitting this morning!

[Vember]

Great stuff

Some are easier to break than others Get going with making a broody house and run for next spring
A good book for info on hatching is Katie Thear's guide to Hatching & rearing

Sarah