broody hen help

[snlconner]

My hen had been sitting on her nest for two days only getting up for water. Day 3 and she's been up for most of this morning. Did she give up? Do I leave the eggs and see if she goes back to them?

 

[CochinLover1]

Leave the eggs. I would give her a day. Is she walking around fluffed up, clucking at the others?

 

[snlconner]

I have not noticed that, haven't really seen her, just checked the nest and she wasn't there. After not being there for awhile this morning.

 

[CochinLover1]

Hm. Is this her first time going broody?

 

[snlconner]

Yes this is her first time.

 

[CochinLover1]

She might be "playing" with the idea. If she is still not on the nest tomorrow morning or tonight, I'd say that she is not serious. Come spring, she might try it again, she sounds like she has the potential.

 

[snlconner]

She's back on the nest!

 

[CochinLover1]

Oh, great!

 

[Gret4325]

Ok, you will have to excuse me, I am a rookie at this but what is "broody?"

 

[CochinLover1]

"broody" is when a hen sits on a batch of eggs, trying to hatch them. It is kinda've a mother trance the hen will go into. They will sit on the nest, not drink or eat much, until they have chicks, or if they're new moms, until they give up.