Broody hen not eating.

[Betny991]

I have a hen who is broody and not eating or drinking at all. We let her have 6 eggs about 2 weeks ago and she started out ok eating and drinking but slowly has gotten worse to the point even if i put the water bowl against her she won’t drink or eat. I started taking her out twice a day for 7 minutes at a time to try and make her eat and drink but she only pecks a bit and won’t drink. I’ve tried different waterers and special treats but she won’t budge we also learned yesterday she’s been holding in her poop. I don’t want the little chicks to die in the eggs as she’s been on them over 2 weeks but idk what to do. Any advice?

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I'm sorry about this. Sadly, I can't help. Hopefully @aart or @TwoCrows or @Egg - Static can help.

 

[50-45-1]

How do you know for sure she is not eating or drinking?
Almost all my broodys do their eating, drinking and pooping at the crack of dawn before i get up.
If she is not interested the the water you are trying to give her, she is not thirsty and has more than likley already been off the nest while you were not watching.

 

[Betny991]

How do you know for sure she is not eating or drinking?
Almost all my broodys do their eating, drinking and pooping at the crack of dawn before i get up.
If she is not interested the the water you are trying to give her, she is not thirsty and has more than likley already been off the nest while you were not watching.

We marked how much water was there and it didn’t go down at all. Same with the food we have one other broody who gets off and eats and drinks and everything but this one won’t and I don’t wanna be tmi but we know she didn’t poop for a few days while on them.

 

[centrarchid]

She is getting off the nest, just not when you are watching. Mine like to go some distance from nest just to defecate. Then they look about frantically for food and water before going back to nest and act as if nothing happened.

 

[Betny991]

She is getting off the nest, just not when you are watching. Mine like to go some distance from nest just to defecate. Then they look about frantically for food and water before going back to nest and act as if nothing happened.

She’s not though I’m positive

 

[centrarchid]

She’s not though I’m positive

I have never had a hen not come off nest except when chicks reach pipping stage.

 

[Betny991]

I have never had a hen not come off nest except when chicks reach pipping stage.

Neither have we. She’s getting so skinny and stuff I’m really worried. Luckily she only has a week left.

 

[centrarchid]

A hen starting in good weight would have trouble sustaining broodiness for a week without sustenance. I would still supply eats and water keeping it several feet from nest if possible.

 

[Gray Angel Farm]

My broody usually looks like death warmed over by the time the chicks hatch. I keep a small dish of grain and water right in her nest box for her at all times and she has been broody many times and always bounces back.