So our 30 week old black java hen won't get off her nest box. She's been there day and night since Sunday, three days ago. She won't even come out when we bring out the scratch pail. We've removed the eggs under her and she growls at us, but doesn't peck. We live in MN. It is November and starting to get cold, but our coop is insulated and cozy. She didn't lay an egg today when we checked, so she has no eggs under her at the moment. Should we give her a few? Should we leave her alone and see what happens? Would chicks that hatch in winter survive? She would be a first timer, after all. I realize that the worse that could happen is that she abandon the eggs or mortality on hatched chicks could be high. Not too much to risk, I guess. What would you do?
Sounds like a broody to me. Id give her a couple fertile eggs. Momma hen should be able to give warmth through the winter.
As for abandonment I would have a brooder for just in case. Also make sure there is feed and water near but not in the nest or she will poop in it. Nothin is worse than a broody's poop.
Two of my Brahma hens went broody within the first week of starting to lay eggs. Aged now 16 months, neither have laid more than 20-30 eggs in total as they have been broody most of the time since. Talk about chick machines....... For the first hatch it is better to only give a few eggs as the rookie broody doesn't always get things quite right. Good Luck.
