This has got to be the cutest pic ever! What a pretty momma too! What is she?Congratulations on your new chicks! That issue is, unfortunately, not uncommon. Broody hens retain their droppings while setting and ordinarily go into "lockdown" several days prior to the hatch date, which means that they haven't eliminated any wastes for days. Accidents are understandably not uncommon. I would get a partner and go clean out the nest- after dark would be the ideal time. One person can lift the hen to a clean nest and then tuck the chicks and unhatched eggs underneath her while the other cleans the soiled nest out. She's less likely to object to being moved if you do it after dark, but if it's early in the day when it happens, the mess should really be cleaned up sooner rather than later. You don't want the chicks exposed to all of the bad stuff in chicken poop- it can endanger their survival.
This is the broody hen in my backyard right now. She's got her wings full! Enjoy your new peeps!
Kathy Shea Mormino
The Chicken Chick
Thanks. Iris is an Olive Egger. She's a cross between my Black Copper Marans roo and Blue Ameraucana hen.
