Brody hen question

[ChickenDude12345]

You might read my response in this thread. It might help you.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/first-time-broody.1535071/

As I said in that thread I don't see anything wrong with removing her from the nest once a day to give her the opportunity to eat, drink, and poop. You probably don't have to but it won't hurt anything. If it makes you feel better I consider that a good thing. One less worry.

I just feel bad that she’s sitting in a box all day so when she gets out she can interact with the flock and do all her duties.

 

[ChickenDude12345]

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.


You heard wrong.. in my experience and opinion.


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

Happy hatching and healthy broody!

She is into 2 1/2×4 broody box. I’ll move the food and water to the other side of the box. I’ll try to pick her up off the nest to poop today also

 

[SmiYa0126]

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…..

I definitely waited more than three days, at first I saw some dust on her beak to show that she was eating but then she stopped getting up. I check on her through the day, she's a spicy one to be sure! Hehe

 

[Ridgerunner]

You might read my response in this thread. It might help you.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/first-time-broody.1535071/

As I said in that thread I don't see anything wrong with removing her from the nest once a day to give her the opportunity to eat, drink, and poop. You probably don't have to but it won't hurt anything. If it makes you feel better I consider that a good thing. One less worry.

 

[ChickenDude12345]

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.

I took her off the nest for a half an hour yesterday and she ate, drank, dust bathed and pooped. First time I had to do all those things and about a little less than a week so I think I’m gonna bring her out again for about a half an hour. The eggs are due July 14.