Caring for my broody hen?

[PouleChick]

Hi me again with my learner hat on! I just wanted some advice about caring for Hermione while she is brooding. She gets herself up to eat and drink maybe once a day or so - she is on a 21% (I think) mixed flock pellets and I've seen her having quick dust baths as well.

• Should I be doing anything else?
• I read about someone dusting their chicken for mites at the beginning of brooding (oops missed that boat - she's been sitting for about 11 days now!) - do they mean with DE or something else?
• Is this something I need to do?
• She is on wood shavings (with a few bits of straw which I'm going to take out as I think it is too spikey) - is this good or should I change it out for something else, in particular before the chicks arrive?
• Anything else I should be doing / feeding her that I don't know about?

Sorry being a bit of an anxious mummy and still got 15 days to go

 

[LovinThisFarmGirlLife]

I’m not going to be one bit helpful, as I’m in the same boat as you! Except my broody hen is only 2 days in . But I love your post! It’s nice to know I’m not the only nervous chicken mama in the group!! I bet you’re doing an amazing job!

 

[PouleChick]

I’m not going to be one bit helpful, as I’m in the same boat as you! Except my broody hen is only 2 days in . But I love your post! It’s nice to know I’m not the only nervous chicken mama in the group!! I bet you’re doing an amazing job!

Hello thank you I'm trying to do my best! Crazy when I can bring a newborn baby into the world (I'm a midwife!) yet some little chickens are sending me into a panic! Also helpful for me to know I'm not the only one feeling like a total newbie I'll be sure to look out for your posts to see how your chicks are getting on!

 

[aart]

• Should I be doing anything else?

• I read about someone dusting their chicken for mites at the beginning of brooding (oops missed that boat - she's been sitting for about 11 days now!) - do they mean with DE or something else?

• Is this something I need to do?

• She is on wood shavings (with a few bits of straw which I'm going to take out as I think it is too spikey) - is this good or should I change it out for something else, in particular before the chicks arrive?

• Anything else I should be doing / feeding her that I don't know about?

Just let her be...better to do as little as possible to disturb her.
Just check for water and feed usage, look for the huge poops so you don't step in them and chuck them out of the way maybe. I touch mine every couple days, gently lifting her from the front to take a quick look, so she gets used to you being there.

I don't think you need to remove the 'spikey' straw.

If she had lice or mites they can proliferate while brooding, so might be good to dust her. DE is useless, if you're going to dust use permethrin. Take her out at night to do it, then put her back.

She's fenced away from flock, correct, so you don't have to check for extra eggs added?

 

[LovinThisFarmGirlLife]

Hello thank you I'm trying to do my best! Crazy when I can bring a newborn baby into the world (I'm a midwife!) yet some little chickens are sending me into a panic! Also helpful for me to know I'm not the only one feeling like a total newbie I'll be sure to look out for your posts to see how your chicks are getting on!

Oh how ironic! I’m a labor and delivery nurse!! I’m the exact same way! Never nervous in a delivery, but get a hen sitting on some eggs and my fingernails are GONE!! My hen, as far as I know, hasn’t left her nest at all for two whole days. I’m worried about her!! I’ll be watching your posts too. Can’t wait to see your babies in 15 DAYS!!!! Wahoo!!!!!