[Marches Farmer]

Broodies are reputed to give out a scent which confuses predators such as foxes.  We also have badgers, stoats, weasels and, polecats on the farm so I prefer to have them safe inside a coop.  We had a wild pheasant on a clutch of eggs in what seemed a very safe spot between two compost bins and under a curtain of clematis and she laid every afternoon.  When she finally sat on the nest the fox took her that night.  We borrowed a broody and raised the poults ourselvees before releasing them, but that's another story .....

[lord flynn]

and my broody has hatched 5/8 so far-will leave the others in there for now and see if we get anymore. I am well chuffed, look like nice chicks and 4/5 of them are girls