Broody hen in danger of dying?

[Alohaher]

My hen has been broody for 18 days on 10 fertilized eggs, her first time and our first time as flock owners. Her comb has been pale and flopped over for about 10 days now. At first we could see she was leaving nest to eat as her poop was evident. Not so, now. I just lifted her off nest and put her by food & water. She ate a few dried worms and black sunflower seeds but no water and then shakily walked back to her nest. Don’t know if she has mites or not. I shoved food and water in her face in the nesting box—she ate a few dried worms but no water. She also for first time today doesn’t seem to be covering all her eggs as well. She’s looking very rough.

Do I hold her, force her beak open, and syringe water in her beak?

Do I carry her outside the coop to a dust bath and refresh the nesting box in case of mites?

 

[Debbie292d]

Taking her out to a dust bath isn't a bad idea actually. I'd have a food and water dish right there too and see if she'll eat/drink while there.

This is getting down to the end for her though, and she may know it so fight you on this.

Try giving her a dish of mash first. Just wet some chick crumbles. Most think that's a treat. It will also hydrate her.

 

[Alohaher]

Thank you
I think she must have mites
She looks like death
Her head comb and waffle are almost white vs red. We have never paid attention to mites but I wish I would have figured this out before now. You’re not supposed to move eggs on day 18

 

[Alohaher]

*waddle (autocorrect)

 

[Debbie292d]

Thank you
I think she must have mites
She looks like death
Her head comb and waffle are almost white vs red. We have never paid attention to mites but I wish I would have figured this out before now. You’re not supposed to move eggs on day 18

I would get some permetherin/garden dust, remove her and powder her well with it. Her nest probably has them too. If you have help, while you're holding her, someone gently removes the eggs to the next nest, clean out that one she was in, sprinkle permethrin in the bottom, then put fresh nest stuff back in there, and her eggs, then her.

This will help her as if she does have mites, they're sucking the life out of her and they'll do that to the chicks too.