broody hen question

[Sarafena1982]

So I have a cochin hen I allowed to go broody last Sunday. Since then she absolutely refuses to eat and drink. I have her food and her water right in front of her face and she still won't touch it. I ended up getting her some of the happy hen treats and she literally took about five pecks from it. I also have marked her water so I know if she's drinking or not. I did give her half a tomato and she ate the juices out of it also. I also tried putting her beack into the water and she'll take a sip just to pacify me lol So I guess my question really is has anybody else had a broody hen that has refused to eat and drink? And if so were you able to get them to eat or drink and how? She's starting to make me really worry.

 

[sourland]

Take the feed and water away from her nest. Remove her from the nest daily to walk around and eat and drink or she will start defecating in the nest and ruin the eggs.

 

[junebuggena]

Some hens you need to force off the nest once day to make sure they eat and drink.

 

[Sarafena1982]

This is my first time with letting any of my hens go broody so Thank you both. She actually cut the top of her head and I brought her up on the porch and thought why not let her go broody when I know I'm going to keep her separate till she heals 100% and she's been trying to be broody the last 2 wks. I have her in a brooder and I've cleaned her poop out every day because she does poop in it. So I am going to take your advise and take the food and water out when I get home from work and make her run around for atleast 10 or 15mins. Wings crossed she will eat and drink. Again thank you!

 

[Sarafena1982]

After kicking her off the nest 3times she's finally eating and drinking!!!! I'm so happy. Thanks again!

 

[sourland]

Well done!