Brody hen question

[ChickenDude12345]

So I moved my broody hen into my garage on Thursday, June 23rd and she has not got off the nest and it is Sunday now. She has eaten and drank a little when I put it by the nest but will not get up off the nest. There are also no poops in the Broody Box. Should I pull her off the nest once a day or should I just leave her to her own devices? Should I be worried? She has plenty of food and water within her reach. Biggest question is if I should take her of the nest for a little bit each day.

 

[HumbleAmerican]

I’ve had the best luck letting a chicken be a chicken. Don’t feed/water them on the nest. They will come off, drop the nastiest smelling huge pile of poo, take a quick duster, drink like they’re going to die….. then load up on feed and make a run straight back for the nest.

 

[SmiYa0126]

So I moved my broody hen into my garage on Thursday, June 23rd and she has not got off the nest and it is Sunday now. She has eaten and drank a little when I put it by the nest but will not get up off the nest. There are also no poops in the Broody Box. Should I pull her off the nest once a day or should I just leave her to her own devices? Should I be worried? She has plenty of food and water within her reach. Biggest question is if I should take her of the nest for a little bit each day.

Hey! My broody hatched her first chick! I'm so excited, now I can't sleep.

 

[TheFatBlueCat]

I biff mine off their nests once a day usually in the morning, when I feed everyone. Mine DO get off on their own, but I remove them because that way I know they're getting food before it's gone, and i can assess their general health and check there are no egg breakages. I do not remove them for the final 3-4 days as they will usually not get off when the eggs are close to hatching. When I don't see them up off their nests near the end of a brooding period I know the chicks are about to arrive.

 

[SmiYa0126]

So I moved my broody hen into my garage on Thursday, June 23rd and she has not got off the nest and it is Sunday now. She has eaten and drank a little when I put it by the nest but will not get up off the nest. There are also no poops in the Broody Box. Should I pull her off the nest once a day or should I just leave her to her own devices? Should I be worried? She has plenty of food and water within her reach. Biggest question is if I should take her of the nest for a little bit each day.

I'm in the same boat as you are. I have a first time broody. She hasn't been getting off her nest at all the last few days. I've been taking her off the nest once a day in the evening and making her drink and it eat. I only saw her poop once since she's gone broody.

 

[ChickenDude12345]

I'm in the same boat as you are. I have a first time broody. She hasn't been getting off her nest at all the last few days. I've been taking her off the nest once a day in the evening and making her drink and it eat. I only saw her poop once since she's gone broody.

I heard that the first three days they don’t really get up because it’s the most crucial for developing the embryo but I think I’m gonna start doing what you’re doing and taking her off once a day. I am seeing her eat and drink a little but no poop in three days so…..

 

[ChickenDude12345]

I’ve had the best luck letting a chicken be a chicken. Don’t feed/water them on the nest. They will come off, drop the nastiest smelling huge pile of poo, take a quick duster, drink like they’re going to die….. then load up on feed and make a run straight back for the nest.

I’ll give it a few more days I just really hope she’s not hurting herself.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

She has plenty of food and water within her reach.

This is a problem. Move it farther away. Feeding a sitting hen on a nest before chicks are hatched is unnecessary and may actually be part of the problem. Once chicks are hatched then I like to put feed nearby.

I heard that the first three days they don’t really get up because it’s the most crucial for developing the embryo

You heard wrong.. in my experience and opinion.

Biggest question is if I should take her of the nest for a little bit each day.

Usually it isn't necessary.. But if she indeed hasn't pooped then I definitely would.

Happy hatching and healthy broody!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

at first I saw some dust on her beak to show that she was eating but then she stopped getting up

Checking the fullness or emptiness of her crop is another way to tell if she's getting up without being seen... if the food isn't right next to her.

 

[SmiYa0126]

Checking the fullness or emptiness of her crop is another way to tell if she's getting up without being seen... if the food isn't right next to her.

I usually only check it when I lift her up. It's empty, there's also no poop in the best box, so I know she isn't going.