Excitment! broody hen!

[Birdie Wife]

My hens have decided it's time to get properly into lay, just in time for the 12" of snow that's forecast for tomorrow and one has started thinking about brooding. I'm keen to let her hatch some eggs but I was worried that although she's ready for it, I'm not quite! Here are my questions, I'd really appreciate any advice you lot out there can give me.

1. Do I need to separate her from the rest of the flock when she starts brooding?
2. If I keep removing eggs will she decide not to brood in the hen house and take herself off outside somewhere instead (not good idea...)
3. Is there anything I can feed her to encourage healthy chicks?
4. Is she triggered to brood by a certain number of eggs in the clutch?

I've ordered a book by Katie Thear but it's not here yet... bit anxious about doing the right thing, avoiding the wrong thing etc etc hope you can help!

[sullom]

Hi,

I hatched eggs last year leaving the broody in the cabin with the rest of the flock however she was in their favourite nest box and one of the others did lay extras in there somehow. I think it is best to let the broody have her own seperate nest so that if she leaves the nest to feed one of the others doesn't go in to lay and she then decides the nest nextdoor is close enough!

Good luck!