There's something beautifully chaotic about a hen who decides she knows best. Our fellow Redditor has a perfectly timed hatch behind them, fresh silkie eggs on deck, and a plan that makes total sense, until a Cream Legbar throws a feathered tantrum and claims the only nesting box the whole flock uses. Suddenly, the dream of a calm, orderly swap turns into a hostage situation with an unfertilized clutch and a very dramatic bird.
We feel this in our bones. Cream Legbars are known for being flighty, not broody. So when one decides to sit, she doesn't just sit, she commits like she's auditioning for a chicken soap opera. Moving her to a wire cage broody setup? Smart idea. But she threw a fit, abandoned the clutch until mid-morning, and now you're left wondering if she'll bolt when you swap in those silkie eggs. That's the gamble. A broody hen who isn't fully locked in can walk away after a swap, and then you've got cold eggs and a lot of clucking frustration.
Here's the practical truth: you cannot logic a hen out of a nesting box. The other hens will keep laying there because that's where they lay. Your best shot is to block that box completely after dark, once your Legbar is settled on the swapped eggs. A cardboard box, a piece of plywood, even a flipped-over bucket, anything that forces the flock to find a new spot. Yes, it's ugly and inconvenient, but it buys you a few days of peace while your reluctant mother decides if she's serious. If she stays put through the swap and through the next morning, you've got a chance. If she bails, you'll know she was just playing house.
Our honest take? Let her try. You've got nothing to lose but a few silkie eggs, and everything to gain if she pulls it off. A broody Cream Legbar is rare, and rarer still is one that sees it through. But if she quits, don't beat yourself up. You didn't fail, you just learned that some hens are divas, not mamas. Next time, you'll know to put the silkie in a crate with fake eggs first and let her prove her dedication before the real clutch goes under her. For now, block that box, swap at dusk, and cross your fingers. The worst that happens is you end up with a very loud, very opinionated hen and a dozen eggs for breakfast.
