How to support first time broody Serama Mama

[Farmerbyaccident]

My little Daisy is broody and I decided to let her hatch some eggs. (I have not let her until now) It is just her and my little king roo, Ollie as I have them in their own setup away from the mean girls in the main flock ha! Ollie is a fantastic and supportive rooster, from 5 weeks old actually. I was very impressed with how he took care of her. So, not worried about him bothering her.

I put food and electrolyte water in the coop next where she is nesting. (Its starting to warm here in AZ) Is there anything else I need to do to support her? Im all kinds of anxiety, have no idea why. Probably because she is my favorite and I worry how it will effect her if one of her chicks die or something. I know, I know - this is what chickens do and I am being ridiculous but never let any of my girls hatch - I have no idea what I am doing.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I put food and electrolyte water in the coop next where she is nesting.

I did this with my first broody and never again. I had to physically remove her from the nest daily so she would poop and dust bathe. I had blocked her off in her own area which also made reintegrating her with the chicks really difficult. I am of the mind that they know what they’re doing and it’s best to let them handle it.

 

[Farmerbyaccident]

I did this with my first broody and never again. I had to physically remove her from the nest daily so she would poop and dust bathe. I had blocked her off in her own area which also made reintegrating her with the chicks really difficult. I am of the mind that they know what they’re doing and it’s best to let them handle it.

Her and Ollie have always been separated from rest of flock due to their size and knowing I was going to have more seramas. But I 100% see your point on putting water and food in her coop, I should remove it so she can go out to run and get it when she needs it. I think I was worried she would let her self starve. Thank you!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I had the same concerns! But then she pooped in the nest lol. She managed not to contaminate the eggs but I realized she had no motivation to leave the nest and it could have been disastrous.

 

[Farmerbyaccident]

I had the same concerns! But then she pooped in the nest lol. She managed not to contaminate the eggs but I realized she had no motivation to leave the nest and it could have been disastrous.

I took the food and water out, your logic is flawless. Thank you for stopping me from being a helicopter chicken mama lol. Oddly enough, I started my incubator with some serama eggs I bought this morning as I wanted to give her and Ollie friends. If she does well with being first time broody, I think I will put a couple incubator ones under her at lockdown since she only has two under her. Then slip the remaining incubator hatched ones under her when they dry . At least this way I know she will have at least one that hatches. I would much rather be hands off so she learns how to mama. Well until it’s time to cuddle her and babies . Thanks again for saving me from myself!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Take a deeep breath! Now let it out. And relax. Yes, removing the food and water is good management. You want her to get off the eggs at least once a day to eat, drink, POOP a great big one, and dust bathe. She needs the exercise. Don't worry about how long she is off the nest, she knows how long she can safely leave the eggs.


She will not starve. Hens put on a nice thick pad of fat before nesting that will sustain them during the 3 weeks of brooding. Yes, she will lose some weight, but it is this stored fat, she can afford to lose it, nature provided it for this very purpose.

All you have to do is watch, wait and listen for those first precious peeps!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Don't put baby chicks under her until her chicks hatch. Otherwise she will leave her eggs to begin mothering the live chicks.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Oh.. you meant you will put incubator EGGS under her. That's fine as long as they will hatch about the same time hers do. You don't want a staggered hatch.