Broodie hen hurting herself

[beckyschicks]

I have a silkie/cochin cross that has plucked her whole chest and stomach clean of feathers. That would be fine but she has done it until she is bleeding. She is about a year old and this is her second time going broodie, but her first time sitting on eggs. She is in a space of her own. She can see chicks but not other chickens in the flock. She has clean water and layer crumbles everyday. I also give her some BOSS as a treat everyday too. She also has a hay nest. Well last night I noticed blood on her head and thought that she broke open an egg, nope I picked her up and she has a bloody chest. I gave her some more Boss for the protein and gave her more hay for warmth. She has been eating but little. She still is pooping but once a day. I guess i want to know is this normal? Is she cold and fears that her eggs are and that's why she's doing this? Is she going crazy from being away from her flock? Also what can I do to stop her? Thanks in advance! Also the eggs are 10 days sitting today.

 

[PoultryPedia]

Be SO sure she does not have mites!!! Check closely, especially in the middle of the night. I had a broodie suffer terribly before I noticed it.

 

[babsbag]

My broody wouldn't get up at all if I didn't take her off the nest and put her by her food and water, she would poop big and smelly and then go back to her nest. Sometimes she would not eat at all, only drink water. As she got into "lockdown" I didn't take her off at all as it has been really cold for us California types. She is actually supposed to start hatching tomorrow and is now living in my house

As far as the feathers, I think I read on BYC that some hens will pull out all their chest feathers. I don't know if that is really normal or not as I have no history in my past, this is my first broody. I would search on BYC for other posts and I am sure you will find something. I know a lot of wild birds pull feathers to line their nests so I imagine that it is pretty normal.

I would check for mites as well, just to be sure. Poor baby, that must hurt to pull that many. They can be such good mommies. I think you just have to let them do what nature tells them to do.

Good luck, chickies are a comin'

 

[beckyschicks]

Thanks, I checked for mites and didn't see any but will check again. It was dark last night when I saw it and when I looked this morning it looks better then what I thought. She still is bare chested, but only a couple of scapes where she pulled to much. I'll go take pics maybe that will help. thanks again!