How Do I Scoot Broody's Out to Eat Etc.?

[MesMama]

So I have 3 broody's, two setting since last Monday, June 1 and one started this past Monday and I keep reading that I should scoot them out to make sure they are eating and drinking and let them go potty, but I am a total noob and am nervous about doing that

What's the best way to shoo them out of their nests? One is super crabby and pecked at me when I tried to give her a little dish of water last week, the other two don't have quite as bad a stink eye, but needless to say I am nervous and not really sure how to get them out of there? I don't want to accidentally hurt them or have them freak out and break the eggs?? Help please

 

[MesMama]

Also, I know the was getting out last week, but I don't think any of them have moved since :O It's really hot here right now and I'm super concerned about dehydration?

 

[campbell5]

We have one hen that goes broody and when she does, I just put feed and water in the coop with her - otherwise, she will not get up.

 

[MesMama]

I haven't separated the broody's from the other 5 hens and rooster because they are doing well and no one is bothering the broody's, so I am just leaving them. So, I have the food and water in the coop as well, on the floor next to the nesting boxes but I don't think they are coming out to eat or drink etc, but I'm not able to see them all the time so it could totally be when I'm not around? They aren't pooping in the nests as far as I can tell, but they are so fluffy that it's hard to tell LOL! So, they could be getting out? We were going to put a video camera in there to keep watch, but it used a wireless internet connection and it's too far from the house to get signal

I know that I've read that some hens will not leave that nest for the entire incubation time and others will do it as they need...ugh, so hard to know what to do

 

[campbell5]

Our other hens and rooster avoided the coop at all costs while this particular hen is broody - she is tiny but fierce! I would just leave the food/water in there with her and watch the other birds carefully - she very well may be sneaking out when the other birds are occupied. Lol.

 

[MesMama]

That very well could be! The other hens like to hang on the north side of the coop during the day because it's shaded and then the door to the coop is on the south side, so they have plenty of alone time in the coop. Red, my rooster, patrols back and forth between the hens in the shade and the ones sitting in the coop, he's such a good roo So I know that there's definitely time that they could be sneaking out for food and water during the day, man they just don't look like they have moved you know? Like statues LOL! I did notice a big pile of poo in the coop the other day and I remember reading that broody poo is usually huge LOL! So I'm hopeful that they are taking care of themselves

 

[campbell5]

Oh, I know! I was a super hovery momma while Fluff has been brooding. Lol.

 

[AmericanMom]

leave the food and water at least 5 feet from her... It is their instinct to NOT leave the nest while people are watching, even my most friendliest broody (lets me handle her and her chicks) wont leave the nest if she knows I am around.. If I walk outside and am very quiet I might get to see her get up but not always.

If you put the food within her reach from the nest she will foul the nest and possibly harm the eggs , Leave food and water at least 5 feet from her, I promise, your hen will not kill herself to stay on the nest.

 

[Fentress]

I wouldn't worry about it. A hen is not going to let her self fall ill or die. Think about it, she is planning for a family, instinct tells her to take care of herself. Just make sure food and water is available. Good luck on not having isolated the broody. It usually does not work out well, but since you have small flock maybe it will.

 

[MesMama]

Th

I wouldn't worry about it. A hen is not going to let her self fall ill or die. Think about it, she is planning for a family, instinct tells her to take care of herself. Just make sure food and water is available. Good luck on not having isolated the broody. It usually does not work out well, but since you have small flock maybe it will.

Thanks! Me too I just made the decision to not isolate the 3 broody's based on chatter on here that it can go either way but that most times they do fine. My other hens and roo seem to be respectful of them and are not pecky or anything with each other, very nice girls Even when all 8 are in the coop eating or getting roosted for the night, the broody's are quiet and settled. No one else is laying eggs in the occupied nests, so that's good! I guess I'm just trying to intervene the least amount as possible and let them do what is instinctual That's why I haven't made them get out of their nests because I've read both sides-some have hens who don't leave the nest and end up frail and skin and bones barely able to walk and then others say their experiences are different and then hens do what they need to, I'm hoping the latter is the majority