I have one hen who insists on being free. She flies in/out of the chicken yard (I've clipped her wings but she is a very small and light bird) and has lately been laying in an alternate nest site. I finally found her clutch of eggs because she is now setting on them and chirped at me when I got too close. I'd like to move her into the main coop for safety, but am wondering how to best do this. I tried this once before with a different hen a year or so ago and she abandoned the clutch after I moved them. Is there a trick to doing so? Her current nest site is on the floor of the barn in a dark corner under a bench. I've provided her with food and water about 8' away from her nest, but worry about attracting predators. Alternatively, I could try to kind of fence off her nest of choice. But then, how/when could I move her and the chicks into the coop? Near as I can tell, she just started setting a day or two ago. To add to the mix, we are going to be out of town most of next week, so she'll pretty much be on her own. I have a small window to either interfere or leave her to her own devices. Ideas?
