Broody Hen Question

[Alice Elephant]

My one year old Cochin hen is broody and is sitting on two eggs I have given her to hatch as I know 100% they are fertile. She has chosen a coop with a door that closes and has a window. Every morning I check her and make sure she has access to clean food and water in her reach. I noticed yesterday that one of her eyes was stuck shut and I opened it very slowly, then she stared to open and close it slowly. When I rub her she puffs her feathers up and I know that's normal but as i leave the coop she will fall asleep and wont wake back up when I pet her. Just wondering if it is something I should worry about.

 

[centrarchid]

Normally you handle a broody hen very little if intent is to complete a broody cycle producing chicks. Pick her up anyway, handle and smell her.

 

[Fancychooklady]

How long has she been sitting on the eggs ? You really need to examine her. If she is sick she may pass it on to her chicks.

 

[Alice Elephant]

She has only been broody two days now

 

[Fancychooklady]

She has only been broody two days now 

Oh in that case it would be best to examine her and if you suspect that she has any upper respiratory symptoms it might be best to remove the eggs.

 

[Alice Elephant]

Do you think I should take her out and shut the coop door ? Or keep her by herself ?

 

[Fancychooklady]

You really need to check her over and just decide whether or not she is ill or just broody. Can you get a pic ? General I'll thrift could be anything. Once mine start brooding I delice them and worm them whilst on the nest.

 

[Alice Elephant]

I checked her over last night and she had some fluff in her eye and I took it out and checked her other eye and she seem fine. But she seem to be sleeping a lot. Is that just a broody hen thing ?

 

[Fancychooklady]

I checked her over last night and she had some fluff in her eye and I took it out and checked her other eye and she seem fine. But she seem to be sleeping a lot. Is that just a broody hen thing ?

By ' sleeping ' do you mean staying on the nest ? When they are brooding they don't do a lot but at least once a day they should come off the nest ,poop, drink and rush some food down. If you feel happy that she is not I'll, just leave her be and make sure she has access to fresh water and food.

 

[centrarchid]

Broody hens sleep but generally not if are close by. Exception to that occurs later in the incubation cycle.