Does a broody leave the nest to eat and drink in Countdown (last three days)?

[Chelsea-85]

Hi everyone,

I have a question. Does a broody hen leave the nest to eat and drink in count down (in the last three days)? If, yes, does it affect the eggs? If, no, how does she eat/drink/defecate in those three days? (placing the food and drink right next to her?)

I appreciate your help.

 

[SueT]

Mine did. Generally they know what they're doing.....

 

[Chelsea-85]

Mine did. Generally they know what they're doing.....

Thank you dear, you mean she goes off for a short time just like the other days and goes back to the nest?

 

[SueT]

Yes. I've only had one broody hatch eggs so far. Others will join the conversation....
You have a broody now? And is it close to hatch day?

 

[Chelsea-85]

Yes. I've only had one broody hatch eggs so far. Others will join the conversation....
You have a broody now? And is it close to hatch day?

Yes, dear. I have a broody, today is day 15. I was wondering whether she will stay sitting on the eggs in the countdown or she will leave for few minutes just like other days.

 

[apryl29]

I never saw mine leave the nest. It was early June and very hot so I put a water and food container near the nest so she could at least get a drink & eat w/o getting up. She was very invested and even after her chick hatched & then disappeared 2 days later she immediately started sitting on more eggs.

 

[Chelsea-85]

I never saw mine leave the nest. It was early June and very hot so I put a water and food container near the nest so she could at least get a drink & eat w/o getting up. She was very invested and even after her chick hatched & then disappeared 2 days later she immediately started sitting on more eggs.

Thank you dear, you mean she stayed on the nest for the whole last three days without a break? Didn't she poop over the eggs?

 

[Chelsea-85]

Which one is better? Not leaving at all, or leaving the eggs for few minutes to eat/drink/defecate?

 

[apryl29]

Thank you dear, you mean she stayed on the nest for the whole last three days without a break? Didn't she poop over the eggs?

I didn't watch my hen constantly so she may have left the nest for a few moments when I wasn't there, but every time I checked on her she was on the nest. She seemed to know what she was doing. I gave her the food and water for my own peace of mind. The eggs can be left uncovered for a few moments. Even when collecting eggs I find warm eggs in the box even after the bird has been off the nest for a while. I didn't notice that there was any poop in the nest so I'm sure she was getting up to go, I just never saw her. I don't think either is really better than the other, the hen will get up if she needs to. I would just make sure she doesn't need to go very far to get water. If your only water container is outside & it takes her a while to get to it, it might be helpful to her (and your future chick) to put something a bit closer.

 

[Chelsea-85]

I didn't watch my hen constantly so she may have left the nest for a few moments when I wasn't there, but every time I checked on her she was on the nest. She seemed to know what she was doing. I gave her the food and water for my own peace of mind. The eggs can be left uncovered for a few moments. Even when collecting eggs I find warm eggs in the box even after the bird has been off the nest for a while. I didn't notice that there was any poop in the nest so I'm sure she was getting up to go, I just never saw her. I don't think either is really better than the other, the hen will get up if she needs to. I would just make sure she doesn't need to go very far to get water. If your only water container is outside & it takes her a while to get to it, it might be helpful to her (and your future chick) to put something a bit closer.

Thank you so much dear, yes you are right. I am in the middle of the two answers. My broody is so dedicated that for the first two days she didn't leave the nest even for a second, in day 2 I got off her from the next for food and water, she pooped a stinky huge one and ran back to the nest after only two minutes. Ever since, I closed the door of the box where she is sitting on the eggs, and every morning I hold her outside of the box, she eats, drinks and defecates and after few minutes runs back to the eggs.

My concern is about the countdown. I am pretty sure that she doesn't leave the nest and never eats if I don't hold her out (tried it with open door, never left the nest).
Do you think it is better to place food and water in the box next to her in the countdown? Or, should I keep the same routine (lifting her off the nest as usual for few minutes)?