How early?

[cotton54321]

Hi all,
Just wondered how early in the year any of you would feel happy putting eggs under a broody hen? They will have to be outside...never done it before but have a reliable broody so thought we may give it a shot this year...
Mel

[RichmondHens]

I am planning on setting mine as soon as I have a broody. A few weeks ago it was too cold, but now the weather has warmed up it's fine.

Ideally separate your broody into her own coop, make sure she is free of lice (they won't sit for long if they are itchy), give her a couple of days sitting on a couple of either fake eggs or real eggs which you can chuck away when you put the intended eggs under, just to make sure she is serious about her job. Then if she is still sitting tight after this period you can swop the starter eggs for the eggs you intend to hatch and pretty much leave her to it. Place food and water in the run so she has to get off for them (and in doing so will poo away from the nest). I spray my eggs with a light mist of tepid water on day 18 to up the humidity otherwise the hen will do the rest.

Good luck!