I thought broody hens were supposed to...

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Or leave the nest to make a stinky as often since they don't eat as much.

I don't remember who, but one of the regulars on here weighed their broodies and found theirs normally lost about 30% of body weight while brooding. Pretty sure that was during warm weather. It is a stressful time with them and there are risks, but they do it all the time. There are risks no matter what you do. I prefer a broody to an incubator and brooder any time.

I too prefer a broody to an incubator. My girl who was broody in September is putting weight back on now (she has been molting, but mostly done now) and I'm hoping she'll start laying soon so she can go broody again.

 

[Judy]

I think I'm on broody #5 (the 3 yr old first timer,) and never had one fail to get up and eat and such. Did have one who would get off when I came out to the coop in the AM, like she was waiting for me. She was a very tame chicken, though. The rest I never see get off, but when I check the eggs, there is no poop and they don't feel or look like they are starving. The one I have now has a comb so red you'd guess she was laying, and she is a bit fat, I think she's gaining weight.... I would too if I sat around that much....

 

[jen5680]

I have never heard of one starving to death either but I make mine get up and eat and drink at least once a day.
Esp with it being so cold and all. They get skinny enough as it is when they are broody so I think it's fine to make
sure they are eating and all.
Hey better safe than sorry right?!?!?!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
That would be my opinion, better safe than sorry.
I tried tempting them this morning, with scrambled eggs mixed with cheese, a very few raisins and a few sunflower nuts. No takers. I left the food in their bowls and will check later to see if it's been touched. I'll be taking the SF off the nest at about 3 PM, since that is our routine. The silkies, not brooding as long as the SF, don't seem ready to get up, but I'm gonna try.
It's suppose to get down to 18 degrees tonight, so I'll probably add a bit of extra hay too.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Grated cheese was a hit with my broody.

 

[wbruder17]

I was worried about the same thing with my silkie. I just started keeping her water and food (which now consists of scrambled aggs and a 4-grain mixture) right next to her. She wasnt eating that I could see before I did that. She can't resist the eggs tho, and now she poops every couple of days, but still does not get off the nest. She just poops away from the eggs. Shes seems fine tho, so Im not too worried about it as long as she keeps downing those scrambled eggies.

 

[wbruder17]

I was worried about the same thing with my silkie. I just started keeping her water and food (which now consists of scrambled aggs and a 4-grain mixture) right next to her. She wasnt eating that I could see before I did that. She can't resist the eggs tho, and now she poops every couple of days, but still does not get off the nest. She just poops away from the eggs. Shes seems fine tho, so Im not too worried about it as long as she keeps downing those scrambled eggies.

I first tried to interfere a lot, but she was getting SO MAD that I just stopped touching her at all and now I'm just checking her and leavin her alone.

 

[elizabethbinary]

Whenever I spot my broodies off the nest it's only for 10-15 minutes and they're usually a blur of drug-fueled binging. They're slightly remiscent of a teenager in a club, spazzing from one area to the next eating a little here, having a quick chat there, getting a drink and then running full-bolt back to the nest. If it wasn't for the spazzy behaviour I doubt I'd notice if they got off at all - they're not off long.

 

[gritsar]

Jethro and Ellie Mae both ate today!

It's was "Go Away, before I peck your eyes out!" and then, "OH look! Yummy eggs!"