broody hen looking sickly??????

[rb roosting]

I had 2 BR hens go broody so last saturday i whipped a lil cage up and put a doz eggs under each. They both have been doing awesome job candeled egg from each hen saw excellent embryo in both. My fear is 1 of the hens isn't looking too good, her comb and wattles are looking pale as is her eyes almost yellowish tint. I keep feed and water in with them the other hen still looks fine and has same deep red color comb and wattles. Is it possibly from the one not getn off the nest and eating??? Should i remove her and let her back in with the flock and try to replace her with another hen (for the eggs sake) Maybe this is normal and I am over reacting but I fear she might not make it another week and a half til hatch. Any suggestions or anybody ever have this happen???

 

[hollyhillfarm]

I would lift her off the nest every day and make sure you see her eat and drink.
I do this for my cochin when she goes broody. I lift her off the nest twice a day

 

[boxermom]

I don't know if the paleness is normal or not. I can't say if my 1st broody was pale or not. I had a red heat lamp in her box since she went broody in Feb. My 2nd broody BO also has very pale comb and wattles. Her eggs hatched last Sun. I'm watching her now. She is up and eating. She seems fine. I'll keep watching.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Each broody hen is different, even 2 of the same breed from the same flock. Here are some things to look for, to learn more about their conditions. Are they both eating & drinking the same amount? Do you find big smelly broody poops from both of them? They may not need to poop every day, but there should be some output from both of them. Does the pale one growl & puff up when you reach into her nest?

I know that some hens need more encouragement to get up and care for themselves, although I've never done that for a broody hen. As long as I see that they're eating/drinking/pooping some amount I leave them alone.

But another essential thing to check for is mites & lice. They can infest the nest of a brooding hen and really sap her strength. You can easily remedy that by dusting 5% Sevin Dust or some other insecticidal powder in & around her nest and also under her feathers around her neck, vent, & under her wings.