𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 2𝐤22 ~ Flo's Hatch-A-Long ~

[All4Eggz]

Yesterday, she got off the nest as usual, but what I found funny was that my sebright hen wanted to lay an egg right in the broody’s nest:

She ended up not laying an egg there.. the silkie came back and chased her out of the nest.

Yesterday was nice, so she took her time off the nest.

She pooped a very watery poop… like a mini puddle:

Spoiler: poop photo

Is this poop anything to worry about?

Today, we did not expect snow. Of course, when things seem to be getting better, the weather has to get in the way.
Below freezing today.

My question is, when it’s below freezing, does the time a broody should be off the nest change? For example, people say a broody can be off the nest for an hour per day. While my Silkie’s never been off the nest for more than 15-20 minutes per day, I’m wondering if the cold weather changes the maximum time she can get off the nest for the eggs to be okay.

 

[All4Eggz]

This squirrel ate so much he was falling over.

@BigBlueHen53

 

[cherrynberry]

Yesterday, she got off the nest as usual, but what I found funny was that my sebright hen wanted to lay an egg right in the broody’s nest:

View attachment 2998707
View attachment 2998710
She ended up not laying an egg there.. the silkie came back and chased her out of the nest.
View attachment 2998711
Yesterday was nice, so she took her time off the nest.

She pooped a very watery poop… like a mini puddle:

Spoiler: poop photo

View attachment 2998728

Is this poop anything to worry about?

Today, we did not expect snow. Of course, when things seem to be getting better, the weather has to get in the way.
Below freezing today.

My question is, when it’s below freezing, does the time a broody should be off the nest change? For example, people say a broody can be off the nest for an hour per day. While my Silkie’s never been off the nest for more than 15-20 minutes per day, I’m wondering if the cold weather changes the maximum time she can get off the nest for the eggs to be okay.

@Wyorp Rock What do you think about the poop?

 

[cherrynberry]

This squirrel ate so much he was falling over.

@BigBlueHen53

Thats really cute.

 

[electrycmonk]

My question is, when it’s below freezing, does the time a broody should be off the nest change? For example, people say a broody can be off the nest for an hour per day. While my Silkie’s never been off the nest for more than 15-20 minutes per day, I’m wondering if the cold weather changes the maximum time she can get off the nest for the eggs to be okay.

Given the fact she has typically 40-50% less mass to retain heat then say a RiR or an EE or Olive egger the 15-20 doesn’t surprise me. I would however suggest having a stash of water and food near her for the chance to have a couple times off the nest per day.

I ended up putting ours in a dog crate and have a couple post/thread to show it….

 

[All4Eggz]

Given the fact she has typically 40-50% less mass to retain heat then say a RiR or an EE or Olive egger the 15-20 doesn’t surprise me.

She is not a bantam. She's a standard sized Silkie, the same size - if not bigger - as my OE.

I would however suggest having a stash of water and food near her for the chance to have a couple times off the nest per day.

She has food and water near her at all times, refilled every morning.

I ended up putting ours in a dog crate and have a couple post/thread to show it….

You started a thread? When are your eggs due? So eggciting!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Wyorp Rock What do you think about the poop?

Broody poop can be just terrible. It's very watery, but that may be because she's drinking a lot at one time.
I would try to monitor the poop for several days and see if that was just a one time thing or if it's consistent.
For a broody, it would be worth checking to make sure her crop is emptying overnight and that she has no lice/mites either.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

This squirrel ate so much he was falling over.

@BigBlueHen53

Wow, are you sure the problem is that it ate too much? This squirrel could be sick. 'Course I tend to be a "worst case scenario" pessimist, so ....

 

[All4Eggz]

Broody poop can be just terrible. It's very watery, but that may be because she's drinking a lot at one time.
I would try to monitor the poop for several days and see if that was just a one time thing or if it's consistent.
For a broody, it would be worth checking to make sure her crop is emptying overnight and that she has no lice/mites either.

I think this was just a one time thing. Every other day, she had pooped a big, chunky poop, but not runny.

Thank you.

 

[All4Eggz]

Wow, are you sure the problem is that it ate too much? This squirrel could be sick. 'Course I tend to be a "worst case scenario" pessimist, so ....

I’m not sure. But he seemed fine afterwards. Either way, I’m not going to be spending my Saturday trying to chase down a squirrel that looks exactly like 500 other squirrels in the area.