First Timer: Feed Question

[chickchick]

MY Buff Orp had gone broody several times this summer and I finally put some fertile eggs under her. This is day 12 and since then I have been hand feeding her in her box 1-2 times daily.

My question is, how does a hen have the ability to not get up to eat or drink on her own for the 3 weeks she is setting? Will she get too fatigued and die from not eating? I don't assume that all hens are hand fed while they are setting, like mine, but I hope this is not interferance on my part...

Any thoughts?
Thanks

 

[shelleyd2008]

Hens usually get off the nest at least once a day, to poo, and eat, and drink. You probably shouldn't feed her while she is on the nest. She really needs to get off the nest once in a while. If you feed her and water her on the nest, she might just poo in the nest, then the eggs will probably go bad.

 

[chickchick]

ohh, good to know, thank you!