Broody hasn’t taken a break today

[ForFlocksSake]

My broody hen is isolated from the others in her own safe area to sit on eggs. I have a camera on her area with a motion detector and noticed today she hasn’t left her nest once. It’s now 4pm and I’m worried she hasn’t eaten or drank anything. The eggs are 2 weeks tomorrow so it’s not her in lockdown. Should I intervene? She’s come out on her own in the past.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You can always remove her. Be gentle so she doesn't have any eggs stuck to her. She may try to return right away and you may need to redirect her to get her eating and drinking. I routinely remove mine during morning chores. They eat, drink, sometimes dust bath, than return to the nest.

 

[Perris]

I would leave her be if you can. I've had some that go a couple or even three days between self-care sessions, some that are regular in their habits and some irregular.

If you do decide to lift her off, be careful not to frighten her, and make sure she has no eggs tucked in her wings.

 

[ForFlocksSake]

I would leave her be if you can. I've had some that go a couple or even three days between self-care sessions, some that are regular in their habits and some irregular.

If you do decide to lift her off, be careful not to frighten her, and make sure she has no eggs tucked in her wings.

My instinct is to leave her alone. Now that she’s isolated I want to be as hands off as I can but also don’t want her to harm herself.

I saw her eat and drink yesterday around 1:30. I think I’ll leave her and if I don’t see her come out by midday tomorrow I may intervene. It’s getting hotter here in the afternoons. She’s shaded but still I worry.

Thanks for sharing this. I feel a little better about it.

 

[Mrs. K]

She will not kill herself to hatch the eggs. If I have not seen mine off in 3 days - I will carefully pull her off - not so much for her, but rather to check for stray eggs.

If she can get to food and water, if she needs to, she will do so.
Mrs K