[Jonny]

Hi
i have read that if you have a broody that is hatching chicks then you should remove the empty shells to give the other chicks more room, but then i also read this can upset the hen causing her to go off the brood?
Any ideas would be appreciated.

[Glentarki]

Personally I wouldn’t especially at the risk of disturbing mum……I’ve bred poultry for many years and have always let the broody do the work. Some hens with experience will remove the shells at the point of hatching i.e. boot them to the side of the nest…..but shells also do disintegrate under the weight of the hen.
Personally I would leave well alone and let them get on with it.

Good luck

Dave

[Buffy the eggs layer]

Hi,

  I tend to agree. A good broody will know what shes doing. It may put her off but even if it dosent she get quite agressive with you if she thinks you are threatening her babies. I know my girls would.

If she gets off the nest for some food and takes the first to hatch with her to the food bowl you mad be able to discreatly slip your hand in and disguard the shells but I find with broodies, the more you leave them to it, the happier they are.

Buffy 

[Eggs, Chicks & Hens]

I always thought that the broody fed some of the shells to the chicks