Broody hen's: Questions (URGENTish)

[chick_love99]

We have our first broody hen, we are wondering about her eating and drinking habits. Do we need to supply food and water, because she won't come out to eat or drink.
She is sitting on 6 eggs. Please help.

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[PatS]

I am experiencing my first broody. I would say yes, you need to offer them. Mine didn't come off her nest (as far as I know) so we took her off once or twice a day to eat and drink. She always hightailed it back to her nest after five or ten minutes. (We put a wash-cloth over the eggs to help conserve heat until she headed back.) I don't know if it is correct to intervene or not, but I'm a nervous first-timer.

But yes, I think it is important to leave food and clean water so she can get to it, if she wants. My understanding is that many broodies climb off the nests once or twice a day on their own.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Yes, she needs food and water available 24/7

She will get up and eat and drink, even if you don't see her do it. I woldn't worry.

 

[Ellie]

'Tis true. My broodies came off of the nest once or twice a day to eat, drink, and poop (a really big one!!). It is really good to have water near the nest at all times along with food so they can eat when ready. I cheated and gave my broody gals a teaspoon of yogurt in the morning when feeding the rest of the group. Most times they did eat it even though they were on the nest.

Later, it seemed that the broody did not get off the nest so I took her off when I came home from work and gently prodded her to go outside which she always did and came screaming back to the nest 5-10 minutes later. Because I was at work, I wasn't sure that she was getting off to eat, so I intervened.

Hope this helps. I do so love a broody!

 

[sourland]

The problem with providing access to feed right next to the nest is that the hen may refuse to get off the eggs and out of necessity defecate in the nest. I always put the feed and water far enough away that the hen must leave the nest.

 

[kathyinmo]

I have 2 broody cochins currently. From what I have seen, they get off the nest once or twice a day, for about 10 minutes. One of mine takes her time, and enjoys a leisurely 5 minute dust bath each day, as well.