Broody hen eating and drinking?

[ldrchickens]

Hey guys! I got another concern i need you guys to help me out with. This time it is regarding a broody hen. My mille fluer d'uccle went broody two days ago. She is currently sitting on 9 eggs as of last night, but the other hens may have added more. My concern is I have not seen her off of the nest a single time the last 2 days! I know she could be when im not out there and just being fast about it but was wondering is it normal for a hen to not get off to eat and drink. Should i force her off once a day? I just do not want to break her broodiness by doing so. Thank you!

 

[Shadowfire]

Your broody hen is most likely eating/drinking while you are not watching; she'll be fine as long as her comb doesn't pale too much. if it does you will need to intervene. Good luck!

 

[ldrchickens]

Your broody hen is most likely eating/drinking while you are not watching; she'll be fine as long as her comb doesn't pale too much. if it does you will need to intervene. Good luck!

Ok thank you!

 

[yickenscarf23]

Maybe set her some water nearby? Just in case.

 

[bobbi-j]

Do not set water nearby. It's good for her to get up and stretch her legs. She will get off the nest to eat and drink as needed. They prefer to think they're being secretive, so it's likely she won't get off the nest when you're watching. Chickens have been hatching chicks for centuries without our intervention. If they didn't have it figured out, they'd be extinct.

I would mark the eggs you want her to hatch, and remove any additions. Otherwise you will end up with a staggered hatch, and that can get complictated. You'll have chicks that need to leave the nest to eat and drink, and eggs that will still need to be incubated. Mama will have to make a choice. Abandon the unhatched eggs, or not take care of the babies.

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x bobbi-j

 

[ldrchickens]

Do not set water nearby. It's good for her to get up and stretch her legs. She will get off the nest to eat and drink as needed. They prefer to think they're being secretive, so it's likely she won't get off the nest when you're watching. Chickens have been hatching chicks for centuries without our intervention. If they didn't have it figured out, they'd be extinct.

I would mark the eggs you want her to hatch, and remove any additions. Otherwise you will end up with a staggered hatch, and that can get complictated. You'll have chicks that need to leave the nest to eat and drink, and eggs that will still need to be incubated. Mama will have to make a choice. Abandon the unhatched eggs, or not take care of the babies.

Thank you! Ill be marking them tomorrow!

 

[ldrchickens]

Do not set water nearby. It's good for her to get up and stretch her legs. She will get off the nest to eat and drink as needed. They prefer to think they're being secretive, so it's likely she won't get off the nest when you're watching. Chickens have been hatching chicks for centuries without our intervention. If they didn't have it figured out, they'd be extinct.

I would mark the eggs you want her to hatch, and remove any additions. Otherwise you will end up with a staggered hatch, and that can get complictated. You'll have chicks that need to leave the nest to eat and drink, and eggs that will still need to be incubated. Mama will have to make a choice. Abandon the unhatched eggs, or not take care of the babies.

I think i have a second one going broody now! Ill be using her for the extras!

 

[Animals45]

She probably goes off of her eggs when you aren't outside.