I noticed our broody, Bernadette, was off the eggs Sunday morning
Before they go broody a hen stores up extra fat. That extra fat is what they mostly live on so they can stay on the nest and take care of the eggs instead of having to be out looking for food and water. Still, broodies should leave the nests occasionally. They typically eat and drink and take a huge poop when they do. This way they don't take a poop in the nest and mess up the eggs. And their fat reserve lasts longer.
I've had a broody hen leave the nest twice every day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon for about an hour each time. I had one that came off every morning for about 15 minutes, then went back to her nest. I've had several that I never or hardly ever saw off of the nest but I knew she was coming off because she was not pooping in her nest. Each broody is different and follows her own pattern but all of these had good hatches.
and had an extra one in there (unmarked).
If they have access other hens may lay an egg in the broody's nest. I mark the eggs I want her to hatch and check under her once a day after the others have laid and remove any eggs that do not belong. As long as you remove them daily they are good to eat even if you have a rooster. They are not going to develop that much. Since you don't have a rooster you probably don't have to remove them daily but I would just to maintain a good habit.
I made sure to take her some blueberries and later in the day some scrambled egg yolks just to make sure she is getting enough nutrients since she sits all day and the other girls gobble down any treats I bring them.
Since she is mostly living off of stored fat you do not need to give her any special treats. It probably doesn't hurt anything as long as you don't make a mess in the nest that might attract mice, rats, or other vermin. I don't do that as I like to interfere as little as possible.
Is there anything else I can do to encourage a successful hatch?
There are two basic models we use. One is to let her hatch with the flock. Mark the eggs as you have done so you know which ones belong. Remove any others daily. Other than that I leave them alone. She knows more about hatching the eggs by instinct than I will ever know. The more I interfere the more likely I am to mess something up.
The other model is to isolate her from the flock. Put her in a pen with a nest, food, water, and not much else. She should know by instinct to not poop in her nest but you may be cleaning out water and food regularly. Make sure she cannot go back to her original nest and that other hens cannot join her on the nest.
There are benefits and risks with both methods but many of us have great success with them. Good luck!
Was really adorable <3
