Broody hen on eggs

[CariLynn]

Last Wednesday I put my little grey cochin hen Zoe on 4 eggs she has been sitting on and so far, on day 4 she is all fluffed up and sitting firm. This is my very first attempt at letting my hen sit eggs, as I got my small flock last late July and thought, if I could get them through the winter, then I would take a deep breath and go forward with raising some of my own. After loosing two of my hens, one to a mysterious illness and the other to a hawk, then two who came as pullets but grew to be both roosters, I wanted to replenish a little.

I am not even sure if these eggs are fertile, but will candle them in another 7 days or so to see if they are. Is it normal for the hen to stay firmly in that nest and not eat? What about having to drink or pass feces? Do I need to worry about her? What should I know? When can they go into the flock? I currently have the hen in a giant dog kennel in our basement, it is clean, no drafts, out of the way and a quiet place. In the morning I open the window blinds and talk to her for a few minutes but basically let her be.

I am excited and nervous all at once....

 

[axion_lotus]

Believe me, you don't need to worry about her.

She seems to be taking it seriously, and she'll do just fine. Just let her do her thing, keep her food and water topped off (because even though it seems like she's not eating, she is, I promise) and let the magic of nature do its thing. Good luck.

 

[CariLynn]

It is so hard not to worry...

She is such a good little hen too, I know she is going to make a great mama hen once those eggs hatch, if they do. Do you know how long they all need to stay separated from the main flock? I read somewhere about 6 to 8 weeks then the mama hen gets to the point she doesn't want to be with the babies anymore.

Okay I will keep setting out her food, keeping the water clean and trying not to get her to eat.

 

[axion_lotus]

I feel you on that one; it is really hard not to worry.

Some people actually don't separate their broody hen once the eggs have hatched, and let them all roam together once the babies are a few days old. Mama usually protects them from the other hens, and the chicks will stick real close to mama. Usually the other hens, after awhile, won't bother the babies at all. The chicks will stay with the mama until they feather out and can sufficiently maintain their own body heat. Also, outside, mama will teach them to forage and show them how to find tons of goodies out in the grass.

But many people do different things when it comes to broody hens. Just do what you think will be best for your mama hen and her babies, and everything will be fine.

 

[NonnasBabies]

Personally I seperate my hens from the flock. I tired letting one stay in the coop and everyday she'd be on a different nest.

I place food and water right there by her so she doesn't have to get off the nest to eat. Now if I never see her off the nest (like my first broody I had) I will go out there and take her off the nest at least every other day so she could poop! The broody I have that just hatched her 8 eggs would get off the nest everyday so I didn't worry about her at all!

Good luck!!