Eating

[edwarra]

Is it normal for chickens to eat less after they are broody?

 

[chickenman5024]

Yes that's what I have found with broody hens

 

[pdirt]

If you mean by "after they're broody", that once they are no longer broody they eat less, then that has not been my experience, they actually eat quite a bit to make up for the time they were broody.

If you mean rather "after once they have become broody", then yes, they will eat very little during their broody phase. They're busy being a chicken mom and will rely upon their fat stores for some of their energy. They will still get up occasionally to drink and eat (a little), but most of the time they're just going to sit there on the nest.

 

[centrarchid]

They eat less while tending chicks but feed intake rockets up once clucking stops even if still with chicks most of time.

 

[Teila]

Hi there edwarra

I totally agree with pdirt. In my experience with broody's, once they are no longer broody mine have eaten more to make up for time spent nesting not eating.

Besides being totally committed to sitting on the nest and only taking occasional breaks to eat and drink, nesting broody's also do not need to eat as much as they are inactive and burning up very little energy.

 

[edwarra]

Okay then let me explain. She went broody about 11/2 weeks ago. She was laying under the deck on her eggs. I would have to pull her out every night and put her in the coop. I think her leg got hurt one night as she has been limping and not eating much. She can stand on both legs and hobbles. I have been giving vitamin b 12 . She is still alert and will sit by the food during the day. I have also been giving oatmeal and yogurt. Just wasn't sure if she wasn't eating because she hasn't been moving much or bc she is not laying eggs

 

[Teila]

Are you sure she is not laying eggs because she is broody?

I definitely do not want to be an alarmist but some of the things she is doing, do not sound like a broody. When you mention "sit by the food all day" is the food close to her eggs and she is sitting on them?

She does not appear to be straining at all? Drooping tail?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Okay then let me explain. She went broody about 11/2 weeks ago. She was laying under the deck on her eggs. I would have to pull her out every night and put her in the coop. I think her leg got hurt one night as she has been limping and not eating much. She can stand on both legs and hobbles. I have been giving vitamin b 12 . She is still alert and will sit by the food during the day. I have also been giving oatmeal and yogurt. Just wasn't sure if she wasn't eating because she hasn't been moving much or bc she is not laying eggs

This sounds like a bird in distress rather than a bird who is off feed due to broodiness. When you offer the oatmeal and yogurt is she taking it readily or reluctant to take even those treats? How much of those are you giving her? It is possible that her intake of regular feed is off because she is eating/holding out for the treats.

 

[edwarra]

I usually give her one or the other once. A day

 

[edwarra]

She hasn't really eaten much oatmeal but gobbles yogurt