Broody question

[chuckachucka]

How many times a day is it 'normal' for a hen to be off the eggs when brooding? I ask because I have had hens go broody and hatch chicks several times before and every time they would get up once a day for up to half an hour. Very occasionally they would get off the nest twice in one day, very occasionally they would not get up at all for two days.

However my serama, who is currently on a nest of eggs in a crate inside my house, keeps getting up about FOUR times a day. Each time is probably ten to fifteen minutes. It is winter here and even though she is inside, my house is fairly cool most of the time. The serama is a first time broody and I'm worried she isn't sitting properly and the eggs won't hatch.

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

That sounds normal as long as she is keeping it to 10-15 min or less. I guess you will know for sure if they hatch.

I have good broody girls who do the same thing. However, I have one that will not get off. Ever. Literally. I have to pick her up and move her a couple times per day so she doesn't kill herself from starvation/dehydration. She loves her egg babies . You can candle the eggs to ensure that they are developing if you are concerned.