How to feed a broody hen?

[koopmaster]

Good answers so far.
I also switch the hen to a starter or grower feed. She doesn't need layer feed while brooding because she isn't building shells. Then when chicks hatch, they can all eat the same thing.

Great tip!!
Thank you

 

[koopmaster]

My hen has around 10-15 eggs under her because some are from other hens laying in her nest. She sits on all of the eggs

ChickenJames, I have the SAME scenario going on here! Only 2 seperate collections of eggs, with 3 hens sharing the sitting duties!! Some eggs volenteered at different times. So far I have had 1 hatch and survive in the rest of the flock, then 4 days later 3 more broke out and hatched, but sadly only 1 survived. So now I have 2 young, different age chicks roaming withe the flock!! And 3 hens sittin on those 2 nests.
PLUS, now, a hen that found her own private corner in the big coop to sitting on a clutch of looks like 8 eggs. She is sitting and has not moved off nest for 7 days.
Now 3 of these 4 hens were born and raised on our property by a hen and rooster. The rooster was lost to a preditor protecting his flock last year, but the hen is the one that found her own corner now. Maybe she will do us another little flock!!
All but 1 hen is native to our property 4 hens and 3 roos, while cochins.
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