Help somethings wrong with my broody.

[wildriverswolf90]

My girl Autumn was on the nest for 16 days(I had her locked in a medium dog kennel). 4 days ago I opened the door and she came off the nest. I suspect she couldn't get back to her nest. She has lost a lot of weight. Her legs aren't stiff. She can't stand very long and she wobbles/limps when she does walk. She has a good appitite and drinks well. Poo is normal. Feet aren't swollen. Any Ideas?

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

Usually broodies won't get off their nest much, my hens lost a lot of weight because they wouldn't get up to eat and drink as much as a normal chicken. Their single combs would flop over and they'd shrink. If she has full access to food and water that's good. Make sure there's always food and water for her. Sometimes they'll only get up once a day if they miss their food... well that would be like starving, and they aren't up high on a warm roost.

 

[wildriverswolf90]

She isn't sitting anymore, she gave up the eggs, I put her back on the eggs but she got back off. But she still isn't able to walk or stand for long.

 

[PtldChick]

Was she locked in the whole sixteen days? Did she have room to get up and poop away from the eggs? What about food and water?

Anyone who sat in the same position for 16 days would be stiff and have problems moving around...

Maybe she was only sitting on the eggs because she didn't have anywhere else to go - that's not really being broody. Once you let her out, she said "escape!"

Next time, let your broody get out once a day. If she doesn't stay on the eggs, she's not ready yet.

 

[wildriverswolf90]

No I locked her in after she had been sitting for 5 days, to keep my girls from laying anymore eggs in her nest. She had alil room to move but not much and she had food and water. GREAT I feel horrible What can I do to get her better??

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

Well I guess she's un-broody now, but you did the right thing to stop other hens from laying in there because if the dates of the eggs layed would effect hatching times.

Sometimes a chicken may look broody but a few days later doesn't feel like being broody, I have noticed in my flock. So wait about a week to see if the hen is really broody.

Just keep feeding and watering your hen, and soon she'll look normal.

And don't feel bad we all make mistakes in poultry keeping.

 

[wildriverswolf90]

Thank you guys so much. This morning she seems to be able to move around better, and even ventured outside to take a nap in the sun. So I'm praying she'll get better. I'm keeping nutridrench in the waterer. And I have been feeding scrambled eggs with oats, carrots and spinach. Again thank you all!

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

No problem! That's why we're here!