Help! My broody chicken has started to shiver.

[TallTutor]

As the title suggests my broody hen has started shivering. It's her (and our) first clutch of eggs. Should we be worried? Is this normal? Any advice would be most welcome.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

As the title suggests my broody hen has started shivering. It's her (and our) first clutch of eggs. Should we be worried? Is this normal? Any advice would be most welcome.

Honestly all my broody hens shivered... though most folks don't know what I'm talking about as they simply don't pick up on it in my opinion.

Now, I'm not sure but I theorize that shivering is ONE way they elevate their body temp for incubating..

In the beginning I thought it was leg weakness from muscle atrophy from sitting so long... but I've noticed it even in the first few days of brooding.. and now consider it to be completely normal.

I do NOT provide food and water nearby.. just at the normal location, during brooding... so the hen does leave the nest to poo and stretch when she needs to. They slow down their digestion to help with this so keeping food nearby doesn't benefit them IMO... at least until hatch day. Then food and water are nearby for chicks.

Consider using a starter, grower, or flock raiser... if you're currently using "layer".. as she doesn't need the added calcium from layer while not laying. The other feeds will be higher in protein and amino acids which will support her condition... as well as being safe to feed the whole flock as long as a calcium source is provided on the side free choice for active layers. Since learning the difference... I never switch and my older birds have less harsh molts returning to lay sooner. It's much easier to feed the whole flock one feed.

What day are you on? Did you mark your eggs real clearly with something other than pencil.. to make sure you can collect any extra deposits made to her nest by other ladies, in order to prevent a staggered hatch which could be detrimental to the chicks.

You might also consider joining one of the hatch along's as they can be helpful as well as a lot of fun!

Happy hatching!

 

[TallTutor]

Honestly all my broody hens shivered... though most folks don't know what I'm talking about as they simply don't pick up on it in my opinion.

Now, I'm not sure but I theorize that shivering is ONE way they elevate their body temp for incubating..

In the beginning I thought it was leg weakness from muscle atrophy from sitting so long... but I've noticed it even in the first few days of brooding.. and now consider it to be completely normal.

I do NOT provide food and water nearby.. just at the normal location, during brooding... so the hen does leave the nest to poo and stretch when she needs to. They slow down their digestion to help with this so keeping food nearby doesn't benefit them IMO... at least until hatch day. Then food and water are nearby for chicks.

Consider using a starter, grower, or flock raiser... if you're currently using "layer".. as she doesn't need the added calcium from layer while not laying. The other feeds will be higher in protein and amino acids which will support her condition... as well as being safe to feed the whole flock as long as a calcium source is provided on the side free choice for active layers. Since learning the difference... I never switch and my older birds have less harsh molts returning to lay sooner. It's much easier to feed the whole flock one feed.

What day are you on? Did you mark your eggs real clearly with something other than pencil.. to make sure you can collect any extra deposits made to her nest by other ladies, in order to prevent a staggered hatch which could be detrimental to the chicks.

You might also consider joining one of the hatch along's as they can be helpful as well as a lot of fun!

Happy hatching!

 

[TallTutor]

We put a bowl of water and food in the coop with her, but she gets let out for a leg stretch, a poo and forage on the lawn.

Will look into the type of feed. Good idea.

We're on day 7, but they were hatching eggs, that we put under a broody hen. My wife and I candled the eggs today and they look much further on that 7 days. And they're the only eggs she's sat on. No rooster as of yet.