Give her at least 2 more days.
Ok, I’ll give her another couple days. She chose to go broody in a dog house in a fenced area. It does have a door that is heavy enough other chickens can’t get in which I’ve been shutting at night but now I’m keeping it shut to make sure the other chickens stay out. I am also not sure two of the three chicks are going to make it. The first chick is standing upright, coming and going from under mom but the other two are more parallel to the ground and staying under mom unless they get jostled out. They look healthy otherwise. Is there anything I can do for those two or just wait and see? This is my first time with a broody hen.
I wouldn't do that. I would allow her to have access to the flock in the flock to her. I was more concerned with predators having access to her.
I would take a wait and see approach. They could have 'failure to thrive' or they just need a little bit more time to perk up.
Yes both water and chick starter. It’s been in with her for a couple weeks because she stopped getting off the nest. She’s very dedicated.
Broody hens typically get off the nest at least once per day to poop, eat, dust bathe, and preen a bit. If they do not get off the nest daily they can soil the nest and the eggs.
Yes she was pooping out the back of the nest and I was cleaning it up. It’s been an interesting time lol.
