Broody hen panting

[CathyM]

I'm worried about my bantam broody - it is her first time, and after about 2 weeks when she refused to stay off a nest, I gave up, brought her inside (into a large plastic bin) and let her set some fertilized eggs. The entire time she refused to get off the nest, or to eat/drink unless I brought something to her. Well, those eggs didn't seem to be fertile, so today I got some day-old bantam chicks and slipped them under her. That part seems to be going fine, but she still wont' stand up, nor go for food. I've been feeding her watery feed (gruel) w/some oatmeal flakes (again, wet) and I don't see her drinking (and she refuses the water when I place it near her.) She has pooped several times over the past 10 days inside; always watery, but no bright green poop - normal brown color (but huge and broody stinky).

Now today (and a bit yesterday, maybe) she opens her mouth and pants silently (no saliva strings) for a bit, and I am worried that it's because she has weakened herself. I tried to get her to stand up a bit, just to see, but she flops down again. Is this broody behavior, or has she worn herself out??

What (if anything) should I do about the panting?? Any help appreciated!

 

[CathyM]

Now she seems to be shaking her head, or it's a kind of spasm. She isn't doing any of these constantly, but I want to catch any problem early, if I can. Has anyone else encountered this with a broody? Or has she gotten sick while she's just been sitting there? I'd really appreciate some advice! Thanks!

 

[CathyM]

I know there are a lot of requests for help now - but I would really love to hear from anyone who's dealt with broody hens! Mine definitely now has diarhea - a dark-ish green but getting lighter (was brown yesterday). I fed her scrambled egg today. She is eating voraciously, but only when I bring it to her. And she's still not drinking!

I did take her out of the brooder this morning and put her on the floor, to see if she would stand and walk... she did, which is a relief!! She's clucking away to the new chicks when they peep, but doing nothing else - not showing them food, not getting off the nest even when put the chicks by the water (which they drink eagerly) and crumble (which they haven't eaten)... so I don't know if she knows what to do, or if she is sick and therefore too weak to help them!

Can anyone with experience tell me if it's normal for broodies to stay on their nests, or if she is weak and sick??
Thanks!

 

[lorijohnson823]

Maybe is she dehydrated. Vitamins in their water is a good idea. and I keep B12 injectable on hand. A B12 shot wouldn't be a bad idea. You should be able to get that at your local feed store. Hope this helps you and she gets better soon. All my babies are chicks and older pullets. So I haven't experienced the Broody part yet. Good luck with your babies.

 

[CathyM]

Thanks for responding! I'll check the feedstore - some people talk about Polyvisol (kids' vitamins) - maybe that would help?

 

[lorijohnson823]

I buy duralactin livestock vitamins. (I think its called that. It's in a yellow bag) Very inexpensive, it is $1.49 a bag. It does state on the bag you can use it for chickens. I just get it at the feedstore. They have many brands that would work though. I keep the vitamins in their water at all times, just a preventative. The B12 injectable does say its for cattle, but you can use it for all livestock. You would just want to give them like a 1/4ml for bantams. It goes in the neck skin, just between their shoulder blades. You do not put it in the muscle. I believe it does burn when it goes in, so be prepared for them to cluck and flap their wings.