hen on eggs - does she ever take a break?!

[technodoll]

OK it's probably a dumb question but my formerly super-active silkie (free-ranger supreme) went broody and is now sitting on a few eggs.

I have not seen her get off the nest since this morning -

Is she getting enough food, water, exercise and poop time???

Will this make her sick?

*worried*

 

[alicefelldown]

Yes, she will get off the nest and eat, poop, stretch her legs, and drink. You do not have to worry, just make sure she has access to her food and water.

Do you have her separated from the other birds? Sometimes when they get off the nest your other hens will come and either lay in her clutch or claim the nest. You want your broody to have access to only one nest, with the fertile eggs in it.

 

[Southernbelle]

Yes, when they're broody, they only get up once a day, so she's probably getting up when you're not looking.

They're not expending much energy sitting on the nest, so 1x/day works just fine.

 

[technodoll]

OK thanks - was worried there for a minute...

She's in one of the nesting boxes with the hatching eggs marked with an "X", which I frequently inspect.

Full access to water, food, outside, dusting baths, the works -

It's the only place she wants to sit, so I indulged Miss Princess!

 

[mulia24]

well, i wish to see her with her babies in 3 weeks later.

pretty silkies, unfortunately is not available here.

 

[matthewschickens]

Our broody hens do not ever get up.
We either have to yank them out or feed them in the box.

Matthew

 

[technodoll]

I took mademoiselle off the box this morning to sort out the eggs (she was sitting on 8!!), then she went for a 20-second dust bath, a drink and a few bites of food... climbed right back in the nesting box for another round of trance-mantra, LOL.

What a good girl

 

[The Sheriff]

Whatever you do, never step on a broody poop. If you do, just discard the shoes before returning to your house. Also, if you chose to pick up a broody poop with a shovel and toss it over the back fence, make sure you are clear of hitting any trees which might cause it to ricochet back at you.

Please don't ask how I know these things.

 

[technodoll]

Oh c'mon, you can't tease like that - HOW do you know these things?

 

[mulia24]

surely the warden has tried it.