First time with a broody and eggs! Hatch with me! I need advice!

[stonykill]

Quote:
My broody doesn't get off the nest everyday. Sometimes is is every 2, once it was 3. Mine also seems to want to dustbath for a good portion of her time "up". My Broody girl, who I've been calling "black broody" (she is a black Sumatra) today, after she dustbathed, ran right up to me, and stared at me, as if to say "hey..you're the one that feeds me, I need food". So I gave her her own food bowl. She ate, drank a little, and ran, puffed out back to her nest.
So I guess that's my round about way of saying, I think your girl is doing just fine. This is only my 2nd broody, but they seem to know what they need, when they need it.
They sure are funny, running around, all puffed up, growling at all of the other chickens.

 

[melloladies]

Thanks stoneykill. I'll soldier on the same way as I have been then. She does seem happy. She's a rather nice broody I think. She'll get puffy and growly but she doesn't peck me anymore when I go to put her down with her buds. She also doesn't mess with the other girls in the flock- she just minds her business and dusts away.
I had to sneak a touch of her little eggies while she was away today. They were so warm and small and sweet

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Broodies really aren't expending that much energy, so they won't need as much food or drink. Do make dishes of both available, and let her choose what she knows she needs. I know some folks say their hens have starved themselves while setting, but I have never had that happen here. Keep an eye on your hen's appearance, unless she starts to look peaky then don't interfere.

If your hen is dustbathing a LOT then check her & her nest for mites/lice. That will sap their strength more than lack of food/water.

 

[melloladies]

Quote:
oh thanks! that makes sense. Is it safe to dust sevin on her while she's on the eggs?

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Yes, the 5% Sevin Dust is safe on the hen & in the nest. Often when I'm setting up a place for a broody hen I'll go ahead & dust it before I put the eggs & the hen there. It helps keep the mites/lice away, and the fire ants too. If I neglect to do that but later I notice that the hen has "company" while brooding I'll dust her & her nest at that time.

I put about a cup of the dust in the toe of an old stocking, then use it as a pouf to dust my chickens. I pat some on the vent, under each wing, and on the back of the neck up under the feathers.

 

[melloladies]

Mornin y'all! Gesine's been dusted with sevin (and her nest...) so hopefully she'll feel less itchy today.

I'll give a full report later

Happy monday to everyone!!

 

[Chihuahuamom444]

Ive never seperated my hens when they're laying, I have a silkie and 2 frizzles sitting on eggs now in their coop with everyone else, I pay no attention and before I know it I will go out and there will be babies, I just let them do their thing, they know how and what to do.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

That's why I said it certainly IS possible to leave the hens in with their flocks and have a successful outcome, but it's not the ideal situation for most. You can always leave your broodies where they are and see what happens, and if the other hens don't interrupt the broody, and if the broody isn't directionally challenged on her return trips from her breaks, then there's no need to intervene.

But I've had enough mishaps here to have decided to always separate my broodies when they begin their set. And I recommend that others do so if it is at all possible in order to have the ideal conditions for their eggs to hatch.

 

[melloladies]

Picture time!!!

Here's my little momma's setup:

from above- plenty of room!

and finally- the stink eye- leave me alone! she says

She got a very short romp today- took a tall drink of water, and munched a few lovebugs...tis the season!

 

[melloladies]

Sun has set on day 3- only 18ish to go! Today was the first day that I thought- well- that's about normal.
I picked her up, and put her down on the garage floor- she slumped onto the floor in her broody trance- so i gave her a little nudge, and she proceeded to follow me outside and stopped as soon as her toes hit dirt she had a BIG poo. Watery. It's HOT here, did I mention that?!? Poor thing. (She's got a fan for breeze, and open window and door) Anyhow- through the fence to the big coop and straight inside to the water and food. good long drink and snack- romped with her buds a bit, and lots of foot-footing in the dirt. Lead lady Paula isn't being nice to her anymore- pecks at her while she tries to dust. I'm thinking those two are gunna have a show down when the babies come. Will Gesine step up and tell Paula to pound sand, or will she just take the heat for the babes?
I think the Sevin helped for sure- she didn't seem irritated and itchy today.