broody hens

[RAWR]

do broody hens ever leave the nest??

 

[Soaring Chicks]

Yes,
The one I just had would leave around 6 am then alittle in afternoon, and sometime at night. You can always tell they have been off the nest by the smell in the coop. The hen will make a lg. smelly poo while she is out of the nest. There are other people on here that in time will give you more info. then I can. I hope this helped you.

 

[RAWR]

it did

and how long are they gone?

 

[henney penny]

When my silkie was setting she got off real early in the morning(I could tell by the huge poo) and then I never seen her get off again.I`m thinking they stay off long enough to poo eat and drink and then right back.

 

[Soaring Chicks]

Mine was off any where from 10 to15 mins. The only reason I know is I was cleaning the coop out when see got off and back on. She yelled at me every time I got near the nest. I check for eggs 3 times a day , diff. times and saw her off at the diff. times of the day. So times its just a quick off and get food/water other times they get off and dust bath, eat,drink, always poo when off. The other one I never saw her off but know she had been off. I could smell her.