Help! My Broody Hen is Dying!

[truechick]

Two weeks ago my crossed beak hen went broody. I wanted to try letting her hatch some eggs but I didn't give her own eggs in case the crossed beak was genetic. She seemed to be doing fine until I got home today. She was on the floor of the coop just huddled up. I put her back on the nest. and shut everything up. How can I save the eggs if she dosen't make it. No one eles is broody and I don't have an incubator. What now?

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Are you sure she was dying? Sounds like she just found a different spot to nest...

 

[truechick]

She just didn't act well. She has been acting normally until tonight.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Can you be more descriptive? Broodies don't move much anyway, especially towards the end of the incubation period when the eggs need to stay moist. What was so different about her behavior that wasn't normal?

 

[bigmike&nan]

We estimate we are at about Day 19 and we only saw our hen leave her eggs once !! Hang in there. I am going to bed but as I fall asleep I will pray Our Lord will watch over your hen. Pray for ours too, her name is Alice.

Michael and Nan

 

[truechick]

She was just all huddled up and the other hens were walking on her. She has been setting on the eggs very well and only getting down to eat. She would growl and peck if you got to close. Tonight she was listless and not aggressive at all. No evil eye or anything.

 

[truechick]

Thank you for your prayers.

 

[stefmech]

Have you seen her eat or drink in the past day or so. If not put some food and water right next to her. I even will dip my finger in the water and put it on her beak. Usually that will simulate her to drink.

My broody would go days without food and water. I had to bring her a special treat twice a day. Usually corn or yogurt.

 

[rooster-red]

Has she lost weight?

I have to make sure my broody eats several times a day to maintain her body mass.

I learned the hard way the first time she went broody that she doesn't get enough to eat if I leave her on her own, she got skinny and I had to up the amount of protien to bring her weight back up.

 

[truechick]

Yes, she got down yesterday when I put down the food and went and got a drink too.