Sorry Goldies99, didn't mean to inundate you with so much. Yiannisk is correct, for the most part a broody hen will know what to do. I was just trying to cover all the possibilities.
I usually try to leave my broodies alone, just check on them daily to be sure they have enough food & water, to see if they've pooped. They really don't expend a lot of energy, so they won't need to eat as much, and will poop less too. If you level the feed in their dish you can easily tell if they've eaten any. They may poop only every other day.
They may lose a bit of color in their combs, and will sit very still with a zombie-like stare. But their eyes should still be bright and they'll usually fluff up and/or growl if you come too near, may even bite (hard!) if you reach towards them.
I wouldn't bother a hen unless I saw that she hadn't left any poops for 2-3 or more days in a row. Or if it's evident she has eaten none of her feed. The concern about runny poop is if she does it in the nest. A little splash of unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar in her water should help, you can offer a spoonful or two of plain yogurt to help her digestion. You can freeze the yogurt and let her decide to eat it if/when she wants, it'll stay fresher that way.
She can stay in that cage until the chicks hatch but they'll probably enjoy a bit more room to roam & scratch after the first few days. If you're having to take her off the nest for her daily break then you can leave her alone on day 20 until everyone is out.
Having a broody incubate eggs & then tend to chicks is one of the most enjoyable parts of keeping chickens, you & your hen should do fine!
I usually try to leave my broodies alone, just check on them daily to be sure they have enough food & water, to see if they've pooped. They really don't expend a lot of energy, so they won't need to eat as much, and will poop less too. If you level the feed in their dish you can easily tell if they've eaten any. They may poop only every other day.
They may lose a bit of color in their combs, and will sit very still with a zombie-like stare. But their eyes should still be bright and they'll usually fluff up and/or growl if you come too near, may even bite (hard!) if you reach towards them.
I wouldn't bother a hen unless I saw that she hadn't left any poops for 2-3 or more days in a row. Or if it's evident she has eaten none of her feed. The concern about runny poop is if she does it in the nest. A little splash of unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar in her water should help, you can offer a spoonful or two of plain yogurt to help her digestion. You can freeze the yogurt and let her decide to eat it if/when she wants, it'll stay fresher that way.
She can stay in that cage until the chicks hatch but they'll probably enjoy a bit more room to roam & scratch after the first few days. If you're having to take her off the nest for her daily break then you can leave her alone on day 20 until everyone is out.
Having a broody incubate eggs & then tend to chicks is one of the most enjoyable parts of keeping chickens, you & your hen should do fine!
