Broody hen has gotten VERY defensive, whuzzit mean??

[Ducklove334]

we have our first broody, whos eggs are due tomorrow, I've candled them a few times, and from what I can tell the eggs are the real deal, aircell taking up half the egg, dark mass on the other side, I've heard no peeping, and so far no chicks, but she has gotten VERY defensive of her nest, she used to be ok about only growling and clucking if you went in for a look, but now every time you look at her, she looks like she wants to kill you!

does it mean that she knows something we dont??


I want little peeps!

 

[joanc]

Sounds to me like she's getting in mother hen (protection) mode. Just in time for the chickies.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Yup, she wants to be left alone to do her thing

 

[crtrlovr]

She's doing her Greta Garbo impersonation: "I vant to be let alone"...

 

[Ducklove334]

well, hopefully she'll do her thing tonight

, and I'll go out to atleast one chickie to poke and prod and make go insane

though it has been abit chilly here the past few days, so thats a worry, though she hasn't LEFT the nest since yesterday, so all the eggs are nice and toasty

 

[debilorrah]

Most broodies are like that close to a hatch. I have had many pecks on the hand.....

 

[Ducklove334]

I THINK, I'm not sure, but I THINK, one or more chicks may be hatching, I hear NO peeping, BUT when I get real close and listen, I hear what sounds like tiny cracking

is it normal for chicks to NOT peep while hatching??

 

[cmom]

She is getting in her motherhood protective mode.

 

[bantiesrule]

Quote:
The hen will cluck at them, especially if someone or something is around, and they will hush up. If you have eggs hatching in the incubator that are cheeping and you cluck at them, alot of times they will quiet down also.

 

[Ducklove334]

still no peeps

arrrg