Broody Hen questions

[pfmoore17]

one of my wheaten marans hens went broody on me. I moved her to the "suite" and put 3 marans eggs and a couple silkie eggs under her.
She hasn't moved off the nest in a week. I leave water and food on her perch and she eats while seated, but has move to take a poop.
What should I do ? anyother advise would help.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

Doesn't sound like any problem to me. What are you concerned about? Her not moving? Are you Certain she doesn't leave the nest?

 

[ChicknCharm]

Our second broody silkie did the same thing the first few days she had eggs. What we did (she was so small, we really worried for her health) was fed her stuff in her nest, even brought her water. Then we worried about the poop thing, so on day 3 we simply took her out of her nest and put her in front of fresh water. She then clicked into drink, eat, poop (huge!), and dust bathe mode. For exactly 30 minutes. Then she came clamboring back to her nest. We took her off daily like that for about 5 days, then she seemed to catch on. Towards the end, your hen may not get off at all. I did read that is normal the last 1, 2, or 3 days of incubation. Our first broody silkie was like clockwork in the morning, off for 30 minutes, right back on. Hope that helps! This was our real experience, I am not sure if the pros have different advice. It worked happily for us. We did have to be around those 30 minutes, to let her back on her nest as we closed off the broody cage.

 

[Lollipop]

I always put food and water away from the nest so she can stretch, but it sounds like it`s working for you. Best thing you could have done was utilizing that "suite".......Pop