Broody Question for the experts

[zDoc]

Can a chicken die from being broody? I have a hen that acted kinda weak when I tried to give her corn on the cob. She just pecks at it and kinda holds her beak on it. They usually go ballistic. This is only the second day but she won't leave the nest. She is trying to hatch a wood egg.

 

[HBuehler]

yes they can die from being broody too long and they don't get enough nutrition.It takes a lot out of them to sit and hardly eat..however,2 days isn't very long for her to be acting weak.If your not using her to hatch put her in broody prison-small cage for a few days then let her back out..that will hopefully break the spell.Are you sure she's broody or is she not feeling well.

 

[zDoc]

Well I'm new to this as of this last spring so I'm not sure. When they are not feeling well do they sometimes stay in the nest day and night?

 

[cutechick2010]

If she is feeling sick, she very well might sit in one place and not want to move, mabye the nest just felt safe and comfy to her. Is she fluffing up and "growling" at you when you come near the nest? Does she have a bare patch on her keel where the feathers have fallen out? Those are signs of being broody. If she is not showing any of these signs, it would probably be a good idea to get her quarantined from the flock and try to find out what is wrong.

 

[zDoc]

Yesterday I lifted her while my wife gathered all the eggs under her (except the wood one)

and as I recall she did fluff up when I reached for her. I'll check that when I get home tonight. Thanks for your help. I hope she's not sick.

 

[Mahonri]

I have a FBCM going broody and she is only 9 months old.

I'm going to have to put her in a cage or something

 

[elmo]

Not all hens pull out breast feathers; mine didn't. They did puff up and shriek if I or any other chicken came near the nestbox, though.

 

[Break an Egg]

What really hurts them is if they are broody and have mites. That puts them in a bad way.

 

[zDoc]

Do they still lay eggs while they are broody?

 

[Break an Egg]

Quote:
No they don't, it's good to make sure they have food and water close but not too close, you don't want them to spill the water on the eggs accidentally.