Many hens few eggs

[Lazy Gardener]

I have a community box that is also used for a broody nest, or a hospital room, and have even used it to brood a very small number of chicks for short time.

When the weather is very cold, I will often block this area off, or block off the top 3 nest boxes in the coop. This forces the birds to lay their eggs in fewer boxes. So... the eggs are covered for more time during the day, therefore not as likely to freeze.

 

[Rammy]

I have a community next box that I made a removable cage for. It's fairly simple, if I don't want them laying in the community box I put the cage over it. But if I want a hen to go broody, I remove the cage and several hens lay eggs in the box. A hen will eventually go broody and sit tight on those eggs. I then slip the cage over top of the community box, give her, her own food and water and wait for the hatch. I don't have to worry about moving her and the eggs and she's isolated, yet can see the rest of the flock.

Can you post pics of that?

 

[CrealCritter]

Can you post pics of that?

Yep... I just went out to the coop but next time I'm out there I will get a pic for you.

 

[CrealCritter]

@Rammy nothing fancy... I screwed a length of plywood to the bottom of the cage to create a flat spot for food and water. Otherwise it's just a chicken wire box with a door.

 

[Rammy]

I had a few hens go broody on me last year, but I had no way of keeping them in the same box and other hens out. This might be an option. The hens would often changecwhich box they would go in and leave the ones tgey were sitting on. This way maybe I can prevent that.

 

[CrealCritter]

I had a few hens go broody on me last year, but I had no way of keeping them in the same box and other hens out. This might be an option. The hens would often changecwhich box they would go in and leave the ones tgey were sitting on. This way maybe I can prevent that.

Yeah might help... Just slip the cage over top, add waterer & feeder. Not very intrusive for the broody so higher success she'll remain sitting and no other chicken can disturb her. With a bunch of BOs I don't have any problems with hens not going broody - just the opposite I have to disrupt them to get the off the nests.

 

[Mini Horses]

Yep, once they decide to go broody, you need to keep the "helpers" from adding eggs. I like the idea Crealcritter has. I usually keep a couple old dog houses -- those plastic ones. They are large enough for plenty of room for hen & chicks. I cage small area around it for hen, when hatched, enlarge the area. Works. I had 3 at one time last year, then 2 or 3 more after. One hen went for second hatch late summer.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

I have 2 seclusion options in my coop for broody boxes. One is raised above the pop door, about 2' x 4'. Unless I'm dealing with a broody, that area remains open as a community nest box. That box has doors which can be opened from the back to create the option of making a run for broody to take her chicks outside, or even for the broody to do her periodic walk-a-bouts while she's setting a clutch of eggs. Down side of this area is that the exit is about 3.5' above the ground, thus not a viable option for baby chicks to come and go.

The second option is: blocking off the bottom 3 nest boxes so the broody can set on her eggs in one double nest, and come/go from a little broody run when I open the egg gathering door during the day.

In any coop of decent size, it would be very easy to make a broody area simply by blocking off a corner, and adding an other pop door which could be used only when necessary.

@Beekissed has even used bales of hay to build broody areas or a separate area to brood chicks.

 

[CrealCritter]

Yep, once they decide to go broody, you need to keep the "helpers" from adding eggs. I like the idea Crealcritter has. I usually keep a couple old dog houses -- those plastic ones. They are large enough for plenty of room for hen & chicks. I cage small area around it for hen, when hatched, enlarge the area. Works. I had 3 at one time last year, then 2 or 3 more after. One hen went for second hatch late summer.

Helpers - that's a good one . More so than often I have a hard time figuring out which is the broody and which is the helper. 50/50 chance - i've guessed wrong more than once. 14 eggs is about maximum for my BO to sit on at a time. Most I've had hatch is 13 out of 14 which I think is awesome results for a broody.

 

[Mini Horses]

Most I've had hatch is 13 out of 14 which I think is awesome results for a broody.

You would be right!

I often let my broody -- when I notice the beginning, to sit a golf ball a few days, then give her eggs once I see she's intent.

You would have a hard time deciding who's who with all BOs. The one who growls at you is the broody