do hcickens go into 'lock down' as we do when we hatch eggs?

[indi]

hi, so here is the story I hatched some chicks with my friend last year and this year one of them, Mellow has decded to go broody and has been on the eggs for 3 days so far. We do have a roo so the eggs are fertile. Every time my other hen lays an egg she also 'adopts' that one. Since we realised that Mellow does not come off the nest I have been taking her off the nest every day at around 5:30 for 15 -20 mins. Is this too long? Another question I have is do chickens go into lockdown for the last 4 days and if so shall I give Mellow extra food so she does not go hungry while she is waiting?

Do mention if i am overreacting and should just let mellow do her thing!!

One last thing can i candle the eggs?

thank you!!

 

[Den in Penn]

You might say a broody is always on lock down. The temperature and humidity under her is always correct. As to food and water most broodys won't starve themselves, she should get off the nest to eat and drink. If she hasn't like you said continue to make her. One thing you haven't asked about and you should do is keep the eggs shes sitting on to about the same age.