Broody and may die ?

[WoodlandWoman]

When I have a broody, I take her off the nest at least once a day. I take her over to the patio for a drink and some hulled sunflower seeds, even though she has food and water in front of the nest. I make sure she drinks and does a poo, although I usually set her down in the grass for that part!

I think getting her away from the coop, the bribe of her favorite treat and a little exercise, is good for her.

I also get the hose out afterwards, to wash that broody poop into the soil!

 

[hollyk]

Ok, I have learned a lot from this post. I have a blue Wyandotte that went broody two days ago. She isn't mean, just won't leave the nest. Just so happens I have an order of silver laced wyandottes coming on Feb 25th. I am thinking that I am going to slip her one or two. We don't have a rooster old enough to fertilize any eggs or I would just let her set . Right now she is setting on several golf balls. I have felt so sorry for her, knowing that the "eggs" were not going to produce anything. Now I am excited to try this chick swap out! Thanks!

 

[janc]

My broody banty hatched out 3 little peeps! There were lots more eggs that didn't hatch. Now I've got another banty who has gone broody. There were way too many eggs under her so I took all of them away and hopefuly we will start fresh today. (We were on vacation and came home to this yesterday.) If she is sitting again today, do I save the eggs for a few days and then put them under her or do I just leave her alone? Also, there are 2 other hens in there and they lay eggs in her nest also. I'm new at this as you can tell! Thanks in advance for your help and knowledge.
Jan

 

[PortageGirl]

janc, you can do that, save several up and keep them at room temperature till you're ready to put them under her. Including any new ones other hens put in there if they're fertile. I'd mark them all with the date you removed them with a pencil then tuck them all back on the same day, for that matter, you could probably gather any eggs you'd like hatched from any of the hens, as long as your broody can comfortably cover them. Do mark them though, cause other hens might continue to lay more in the broody nest. Hens being such team players and all heheh....

 

[janc]

Thanks, Portage girl,
I"ll do that.
Jan