?? about broody mama and bathroom breaks

[chicks4kids]

I have a broody barred rock that is on day 18 today. She is sitting on 3 eggs and they all are alive and well. Everyday since day 3 of her setting I take her out for a bathroom break around noon. Everyday. The reason we started doing the bathroom breaks was because she didn't want to get up to go and just poo'd in her box.

Well, my question is since this is day 18 for her, should I still continue to give her the bathroom breaks until the eggs hatch, or should I just leave her? So what do ya' think? Leave her be and maybe she won't poo? Or continue to give her the breaks?

Thanks!

 

[trilyn]

I would give her the breaks, you don't want her to poo all over the chicks! Somebody else will chime in soon, hang on!!

 

[mstricer]

Are you absolutly sure she wasnt getting off the nest to eat and poo. Because I thought the same thing. By you saying she wasn't getting off the nest means you were watching her everyday 24 hrs a day and I dont think any of us can do that unless you have a camare in the nest.

 

[mstricer]

She will not poo all over the chicks. My momma hen never pooed on the chicks and she sat for some 24 days. It smells really bad when they do though. I would leave her alone she knows what to do, and will get off the nest for the first 18 days to eat and drink and poo. I have 4 broodies right now, 2 of which I will not let set. The orpington because she tried it for over 24 hrs then left the nest to steal the jerseys eggs, so I keep throwing her off the nest and taking her eggs not happy shall I say. My sussexx because she is in the main coop and the nest are 2 ft off the ground and all things bad have happen with that before. My Fav's are in a smaller coop and I will leave them alone. Your hen will be fine she's in lockdown leave her be. Michele
Lucky hatching

 

[chicks4kids]

Quote:
I can without a shadow of a doubt say with 100% certainty that she was NOT getting off the nest to poo...that's why I give her the break everyday (boy can broody poo stink up a garage). She is confined inside my garage in a large cat carrier with a small exterior section with her food, water, and an area to poo. So I could easily tell if she had went to the bathroom-not only by sight but by smell as well. I will hold the food and water up to her for her to eat and drink so that's not my concern in that I know she is eating and drinking enough. I'm just concerned about the poo factor and whether or not she will poo or just hold it? Or if I should continue to give her the breaks, once a day at noon, like usual.....

 

[mstricer]

I had my broody in the garage in a large dog crate but only for the last 3 days. I she has been in a small cat crate for this time then thats probally why she didn't get up. We bought some puppy excerise pens that open up to 4x4 and have our juvie chicks in it. Maybe if you have something like that next time she would get up and go. Once she hatches that kitty crate won't be big enough. I made a hoop house and small brooder box for my girl, the first time she pooped in the gargage after hatching. With that said leave her in lockdown if you take her off the eggs now, the eggs may not hatch due to not enough humidity. Michele

 

[chicks4kids]

She has an area to get up out of the crate and move around and do her deed. She is NOT confined only to the crate...her area is fine for what she needs-she chose not to get up. Once she hatches, she is going to the broody/baby house where she will be able to take the chicks out in confinement and safety. I put her in the garage because it is a quiet place-this is her first time. So just to clarify, she is not confined only to the crate at all...that would be just cruel.

 

[mstricer]

I'm sorry I read that after I posted. My bad wasn't accusing, you are doing a great job, I hope all your little chickies hatch. Michele

 

[Fort Orpington]

I would continue to take her off the nest for her bathroom breaks. I have a broody and I do the same thing every day I get her off the nest and give her about five minutes. And yesterday 3 eggs hatched and today so far two.... And I am still going to give her a break at her regular time today. Yesterday after the chicks hatched she just was really fast about everything, you can probably tell when she wants back on her eggs, mine lets me know.

 

[chicks4kids]

Not a problem

I think I will continue to give her the breaks...today she was pretty quick about it and acted differently, which made me feel she just wanted to get back on her nest. Thanks all!!