Broody won't leave nest

huntinwidow

Crowing
14 Years
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My Coop
My Coop
I have a broody that has been setting for 6 days. I have isolated her to a repurposed chicken tractor and have her nest in a small pet porter.
My problem is that she won't leave the nest. I have run her out and she just goes right back in. She doesn't eat, drink, poop or any thing else. She may leave the nest when I am not looking but I have not seen her off the nest.
What should I do? I have ordered eggs for her to hatch that I hope will be here tomorrow. That means she has another 3 wks. of this. Can she survive? Would she starve herself or is it like people used to tell me about my children, "They will eat when they get hungery"?
idunno.gif
 
Don't worry,.she will be okay. I thought the same thing when one of my hens went broody. She was eating and drinking,just when I wasn't around, usually real early in the mornings. This is normal behaviour. It is amazing isn't it?
 
You do have to make sure she eats and drinks. Some broodies will weaken dangerously by neglecting themselves while maintaining vigil on their nest.
JJ
 
Fill up a chick feeder and waterer and leave them where she can reach them from the nest. You might also try making her some scrambled eggs or bring out yummy treats (grapes, yogurt, lettuce, etc). She likely is leaving the nest this early in the game. Closer to hatch time she is more likely to stay put. I know mine lose a lot of weight over the broody period so I always try to help them out in the last weeks.

Good luck!
 

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