Oh no, Molly. Well looks like you'll be closer with us now. My daughter is down at the coop now with Dixie. Holding her waterer right to the nest box. And Dixie is drinking and drinking. I bought a piece of Plexy glass today and am going to get more light in that Hutch. I'm sure the darkness helps with her broodiness...but I'd like her to see a bit better in there. There is a vent like area that lets in light...but I'm sure it's still dim in there.
randerson a good test of broodiness for me has been roosting time. Does the hen spend the night in the nest box or jump up and roost with the others in her usual spot. If you have some golf balls for her to tend to to ensure she'll set...that would be another good test to see if she's for real or if she's putting on a show. One thing I've noticed with Dixie over the last two weeks is her locking in harder and harder to the nest. First 3 days she got up a couple times to do her thing outside. Day 3 she was pretty certain of what she wanted to do. Week 1 up once in the morning for Broody poos, drinks, scratches in the dirt and outside. Week 2 leaving the nest fewer times once every couple days. And right now she's been solid on that new nest. No broody poo today at all....thirsty...she's ate some moistened food...but very little. I plucked some grass and clover shoots for her...ate just a bit of that....
And that sweet bird...has not bit anybody...at all or made no attempt either. Just a bit growly is all.