Broody???? Or Something Else?

[TarHeelBlue]

Never had a broody hen - today when I went to gather eggs my Cochin was in a nest box all fluffed out. When I went back later in the afternoon , she was still there. And still there when I went to close the coop up. How do you tell if they are broody? or could she have another problem. Should I try to get her out if she is still there in the morning? She doesn't look sick.

 

[FireTigeris]

Quote:
Mine do that, if you reach for her and she ... 'growls' at you then she's broody - if her eyes are dark-pussy-etx / she has bugs / or she smells - she is sick

He comb and waddles might start to go to non-breeding colors (not bright red)... as a broody if she sits for the whole 21+ days

 

[TarHeelBlue]

Her eyes are clear - she looks good, not sick. no puffiness or swelling or discharge from her eyes. I'll check in the AM to see if she growls at me (this is something new, sure hope if she is broody, that she has some eggs under her, not just the fake ones

)

 

[Happy Chooks]

The true sign of a broody is a hen that stays on the nest at night.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
X2. Some people won't give them eggs unless they stay for 2 nights.

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

 

[FireTigeris]

Quote:
you can change out the eggs (fertile eggs for fake eggs), also mark them as if/when she gets up to eat and poo other hens will sneak in and lay eggs in the nest-

whatever you want her to hatch mark, remove all other eggs every 12ish hours...

if you leave the others they will be behind and will not hatch on time ,she will leave them to get cold and they will die.

-someone else has better instructions, my cold meds are catching up to me.-

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=495525

 

[TarHeelBlue]

Thanks!!! If she is there tomorrow I may put a couple eggs under her. They just went in the bator yesterday.