Broody mama still not eating. How long is ok?

[Mo'sMenagerie]

Any thoughts on how long is ok for my broody to continue not eating? The 22 days she was on the eggs I had to bring the food to her and wave it in front of her to get her to eat. Begging her to eat! She would pick at it, and occasionally ate a bite. I know this is almost normal, though.

However, I thought for sure now that the chicks are hatched and 3 days old, she would start eating...but NOPE! I try to give her snacks and her favorite treats to entice her, but she just sends out the "snack alarm" to the baby chicks, chews it up and drops it on the ground for them to eat!!!

There is fermented feed for them all to eat and she only picks at it to give to them...

 

[chrissynemetz]

Idk, as long as she's feeding the babies I would think she knows what she's doing. Do you have water where she can reach it? Is it possible that she's been sneaking out and grabbing a bite while you're not looking?

 

[chrissynemetz]

If the chicks are three days old she might start wanting to take them out and about soon. Do you have her blocked off, or can she get out into the run?

 

[50-45-1]

Just make sure there is chick starter avaliable and a chick waterer that are close.
3 day old chicks will start to explore the imediate area around the nest, and need to eat and drink.
I too think your hen has probably been eating at times you are not looking.
They are sneeky like that.
I have noticed my broody would come out and eat and drink at the break of dawn.

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

If the chicks are three days old she might start wanting to take them out and about soon. Do you have her blocked off, or can she get out into the run?

She can get into the run. It's just the tractor she's in with the babies has about a 10-12" team they have to navigate, so not sure how great the chicks will do with it.

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

I know she's not eating bc the only good and water they have is in the tractor with them, and I keep it closed up until morning. The food never really goes down much, and just looks like the chicks have been picking at it.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I thought the same thing about my broody. She lost a lot of weight while setting. But she quickly regained it once she took the baby off the nest after a few of days (maybe 4 days?). I was super worried, but it turns out she knew what she was doing. I never should've doubted it - LOL! Of course my chicken knew better! I'm just a silly hooman...

 

[micstrachan]

I will watch this thread. I have a broody who I gave chicks to one week ago today. She had already gotten thinner, and now she’s down to watery, green poops. Today is the first day I gave them access to the run in hopes she’ll feel more normal and start eating more. Every time I offer her raw egg, she takes some, so that is somewhat sustaining her, as well.

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

My broody finally made the leap this morning. The chicks are happily following her along in the run, and I saw her eat some food, too!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Yay!!! Such a relief...