First time broody hen

[Dpyskaty325]

I have a broody hen and borrowed three maybe fertilized eggs and put them under her. I have water and food in front of her box, but am worried I missed anything. Is it really that simple?

HAVE NEVER HAD A SUCCESSFUL INCUBATOR HATCH

 

[Chicken Whisperers]

We gave our first broody of the year three eggs from a local hatchery and two pipped. It's really that simple; you don't even need to give her food and water. Every once in a while she will get up to poop, eat, and get water, just like we would on a long car ride! But beware: when they've been sitting for a while and get up to poop, do NOT go near them! A broody hens poo is the biggest, stinkiest, grossest of them all!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have a broody hen and borrowed three maybe fertilized eggs and put them under her. I have water and food in front of her box, but am worried I missed anything. Is it really that simple?

HAVE NEVER HAD A SUCCESSFUL INCUBATOR HATCH

You don't even need to put the food right there. A broody will get up once a day to poop, eat, drink and dust bath. Usually in the early morning, but it can be any time.

It is that simple up until hatch date as long as other hens aren't stealing her nest or breaking the eggs.

Some hens don't know what they are doing when they hatch and need to be watched so they accept the chicks instead of attacking them. Always be ready to pull them and brood them yourself if your hen is unproven, and you see any questionable behaviors.

You also need to make sure the rest of the flock can't get to the chicks and the chicks don't wander off. I personally put a fence around them after hatch for a week or two until the chicks are strong enough to be let back into the flock.

 

[drumstick diva]

agree with oldhenlikesdogs

 

[Dpyskaty325]

OK thanks! Updates soon!

 

[aart]

It's best that food and water are NOT right nest to the nest, you want them to get up and stretch their legs and poop away from the nest.
I segregate mine behind wire from the rest of the flock, then you don't have to check for other eggs laid in broody's nest. If the other birds do have access to broodies nest, mark the fertile eggs so they are easily distinguished form newly laid eggs.