Hen setting eggs first time?

[phoenix_rising]

I see lots about incubators but I don't see much about hatching under a mama hen. I have a light brahma that decided she wanted to set a nest. So we've let her. I'm worried about her though. She doesn't seem to be getting off the nest to eat or drink at all. I'm also worried she's just going to have the nest go rotten under her.

What do I need to do?

She was setting in our barn but other hens kept kicking her off the nest so they could lay their eggs there. So we moved her into a dog crate by herself away from all the other birds with her nest and some water and I got her chick start so she'd have extra protien if/when she does start eating. I haven't seen any poo in the kennal but there's kinda a smell coming from the cage

Can I kick her off and candle the eggs? Last time I took her off the nest to try to get her to drink something (because I was really worried about her..) she ran back to the nest with such force that she broke an egg! I'm worried and don't want to lose my girl, but I want her to be successful...I don't know what to do with her. This is the first time we've ever had any of our girls go broody so this is a whole new process for us.

Thanks in advance!

 

[bethandjoeync]

she will probably only get off the nest once or twice a day, and when she does, there will be a HUGE poo that she will let out and it SMELLED HORRIBLE!!!!

if you are needed to candle the eggs, do it in the dark when she is most calm and won't notice much. she will stay on the nest to keep the eggs warm, and only get off to eat and drink..and if it gets warm enough out.

let her do her thing. she will know. our girl's comb got a little pale but she seemed fine. enjoy it, it's way easier than incubating them yourself, because she does all the work lol