How long for Broody to return to optimal health?

[OrpingtonManor]

Renee, you might have posted this, but how old are the chicks? (just saw that you said 3 weeks. that's not very long for reconditioning.) My broodies were in terrible shape from an extended broody period. I grafted chicks under them, and moved the food and water right next to them. Then, I moved the whole lot of them out of the nest box and into the dogloo and tractor. They seemed really glad to have the grass to eat. I didn't really offer treats at first. Just gave them all Flock Raiser and plenty of clean water (and the grass). Eventually I let them free range with the big flock, but still they went to bed in the dogloo separate from them. Their condition gradually improved over the weeks. They didn't wean their babies until 10 weeks, and started laying again at that time. It takes time for the emaciation of broodiness to go away. But, if your girl seems to be getting weaker, that isn't good. I like the suggestions of extra scrammies and yogurt. Good luck!

 

[chicken delighted]

i have a special mix i feed my hens every day ,for my broodies i give them this along with their chicks boil enough water to make some oatmeal, (1 cup or 2 cup how ever big the hatch is)cook it then let it cool not get cold. add tuna fish ,stratch with sunflower seeds millet,flax seed(no corn) and then mix in enough chick starter in to make a moist crumble. and let them eat it all
you can add different thing like,goats milk, cooked beans,sprouts,ect. also give her and the chicks some vita water when the temp changes hot to cold i start that for a coulpe of days .
like they said some hens are just wonderful mom and some are not.i have a ee called bunny great broody but when they have their feather well kids it time to hit the road. another named racheal well lets just say super mom takes every ones chicks

good luck

 

[dedicateddourly]

Steffanie, thanks for some perspective. Actually, Bridget isn't getting weaker at all. She's very active and behaving normally. I'm just worrying about her poops and slightly sad state of her comb. Really though, it's not at all terrible. I just wanted to know what other broody moms were like, since this is my first. She came in at 5.5 pounds last week which is about a pound lighter than normal. I'd like to weigh her again, but we've already packed our scale

But she will definitely get extra scrammies with EVOO, hehe.

Chicken delighted, that sounds like a wonderfully nutritious and tasty (for chickens) concoction

Thanks for the suggestion. I like the idea of giving her fish protein (she has some in her feed already). I think I have a can of salmon that I can add to her diet.