balding broody hen

[daisy04859]

I have a hen that has been sitting on eggs waaaaay too long. this morning I took her out of the nest and noticed that her belly feathers are missing. should I be concerned? is there help her her?

 

[Pyxis]

They pluck their stomachs when brooding so that their skin comes into contact with the eggs and warms them better.

If you're not going to let her hatch it's best to break her of the broodiness. It's very hard on them and you've said she's been broody for a long time so at this point since it doesn't seem like she's stopping on her own it sounds like it's time to break her.

 

[daisy04859]

I read a post that placing them in a wire cage and setting them up off the ground will help them. other than food and water, do they require bedding?

 

[aart]

I read a post that placing them in a wire cage and setting them up off the ground will help them. other than food and water, do they require bedding?

No bedding, the whole point is to cool them off.
How long has she been sitting?