First time broody Welsummer

[bekabat]

Hi All,

I have a broody Welsummer...she could not be deterred from the broodiness despite all my efforts so in the end I bought her some fertile eggs to sit on. She's been going for 9 days now. I'm concerned that she isn't eating or drinking and I've had two different responses to this when I have asked people who breed... some have said that she will just go for the full 21 days without moving, eating or drinking...and then others have said she needs to be encouraged to move, stretch, poop etc etc... is there a right answer? Her comb is looking dry and a little drooped so I don't want her to lose too much condition just because of these eggs. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[trailrider330]

Humans can only go three days without water, and while camels may be able to go much longer than that without water, I am pretty sure there is no way a chicken could go 21 days without water.

My guess is she is probably getting off the nest for at least a few minutes each day, but she is being sneaking enough about it that you may not be aware. If you are sure she is not getting off the nest at least once per day to at least relieve herself, I would suggest making a point of physically removing her from the nest at least once per day. When you remove her, set her near fresh food and water in hopes that she will at least grab a few bites.

 

[donrae]

I always trust the hen to take care of herself. I've never had a hen die brooding eggs Mine always get off to eat, drink, and dust bathe. It's only once a day as a rule, and less than 20 minutes. You can usually find evidence of a huge, messy, stinky poop to know she's been off the nest

If you're really concerned, it doesn't hurt to take her off the nest once a day. I advise against placing food or water close to the nest. IMO when she's up, she needs to be moving around. Going to the feed and water is good for her circulation. Plus, her being present to the flock is good to remind them she's still a viable member of the flock. Her bad attitude usually stays in their minds after she hatches her chicks, so no one wants to mess with her or her new babies

 

[bekabat]

Thank you! I decided to give her a little encouragement to go and have a drink and some food...she wasn't happy about it but went and had a paddle in the water bowl, had a quick feed and dust bath...got into a fight with another broody who is not sitting on eggs but thinks the roost makes a fine nest, and then headed back to the eggs.... looking forward to not having to worry so much! I though Welsummers weren't meant to be broody!

 

[PNWskye]

How did she do? I have a year old broody Welsummer I have also tried to break.