Broody Behavior Question

[bluedawg]

I have a broody hen who I gave a few eggs to sit on. She never seams to come off the eggs for food and water. I got worried so I started putting food and water within reach. Could it be too cold for her to leave the eggs even to eat and drink? She has her head tucked under her wing whenever I look in on her and I check to make sure she's still breathing... so far so good.

 

[Johnn]

Try asking on here, there is people who have hatched out in the cold who can answer your questions https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ody-hen-hatch-a-long-and-informational-thread

 

[donrae]

Unless you watch her all day you probably won't see her get off the nest. Mine usually take about 15 minutes. Off the nest, HUGE poop, drink, eat, dust bathe, terrorize the other hens, eat and drink again, maybe another quick bath, then back on the nest.

She's not going to kill herself by not eating or drinking. That would be counter productive to the whole "survival of the species" thing! But if you're truely worried, you can boot her off once a day. Won't hurt those eggs at all.