Is my almost hen broody? When will the eggs hatch?

[Farmgirl283420]

So I was wondering when her chicks hatch (if they do) will she poop in the place I’m keeping her or will I still need to let her out?

 

[NatJ]

So I was wondering when her chicks hatch (if they do) will she poop in the place I’m keeping her or will I still need to let her out?

If you do not let her out, she will poop in the place where you are keeping her. That can make a nasty mess on the nest, the chicks, any remaining eggs, and the broody herself.

Once all the chicks hatch, you can move the hen and chicks to a bigger pen, and then she will be able to poop without having to sit in it.

I put her in a rubber bin in my pole barn with food and water. She’s been great! I let her out every morning to stretch her legs.

I am not sure what to recommend when the chicks are actually hatching. If a hen is free to get off the nest whenever she wants, most hens are good at choosing their own time for pooping during the time when chicks are hatching.

Would it work to put the bin in a larger pen, and let her put herself in and out? Or arrange something else so she can get on & off at a time she chooses? (I am not sure what is actually possible with the situation you have. You might just need to let her out according to your best guess of when she needs to go.)

 

[Farmgirl283420]

If you do not let her out, she will poop in the place where you are keeping her. That can make a nasty mess on the nest, the chicks, any remaining eggs, and the broody herself.

Once all the chicks hatch, you can move the hen and chicks to a bigger pen, and then she will be able to poop without having to sit in it.


I am not sure what to recommend when the chicks are actually hatching. If a hen is free to get off the nest whenever she wants, most hens are good at choosing their own time for pooping during the time when chicks are hatching.

Would it work to put the bin in a larger pen, and let her put herself in and out? Or arrange something else so she can get on & off at a time she chooses? (I am not sure what is actually possible with the situation you have. You might just need to let her out according to your best guess of when she needs to go.)

She is in a rubber bin which I use to raise my chicks I’ll post a pic. I was thinking of moving her to a dog kennel once they hatch.

this might be the best picture I have right now I’ll get one of her later. This is just a visual of how big the bin is. (Not big when you have a grown chicken in it)

 

[Farmgirl283420]

She is in a rubber bin which I use to raise my chicks I’ll post a pic. I was thinking of moving her to a dog kennel once they hatch.View attachment 3724587this might be the best picture I have right now I’ll get one of her later. This is just a visual of how big the bin is. (Not big when you have a grown chicken in it)

Actually Amelia the broody is in this picture she was just a little chick!

 

[Farmgirl283420]

Here she is! I think there are four days until her chicks hatch!

 

[NatJ]

Here she is! I think there are four days until her chicks hatch!

In that size bin, she might be able to go poop at the food & water end, rather than make a mess of her nest. I do not know whether she will think of that or not. If you do spot a big broody poop in there, of course you will want to scoop it out before it gets tracked around.

Given the size of the bin, as long as she seems content, I would try leaving her in when you expect the chicks to actually hatch, and not taking her out for a bathroom/exercise break. But if you see her pacing around trying to get out, I would take that as a signal to let her out and then put her back when she's done.

She is in a rubber bin which I use to raise my chicks I’ll post a pic. I was thinking of moving her to a dog kennel once they hatch.

That sounds like a good plan, moving her and the chicks after the chicks hatch.

 

[Farmgirl283420]

In that size bin, she might be able to go poop at the food & water end, rather than make a mess of her nest. I do not know whether she will think of that or not. If you do spot a big broody poop in there, of course you will want to scoop it out before it gets tracked around.

Given the size of the bin, as long as she seems content, I would try leaving her in when you expect the chicks to actually hatch, and not taking her out for a bathroom/exercise break. But if you see her pacing around trying to get out, I would take that as a signal to let her out and then put her back when she's done.


That sounds like a good plan, moving her and the chicks after the chicks hatch.

Ok! Only a few days left! She seems content more than when she was in the nest box. Also instead of growing weaker she seems to have gotten stronger then she was in the beginning.

 

[Farmgirl283420]

So I have two silkies and one of them has been sitting in the nest box over night and some time during the day so I have a feeling that she is going broody. Well now my other silkie is in the nest box. Does it sound like they are going broody? They are maybe a month younger than Amelia. Amelia is doing great I made sure she got plenty of food and water she seems calm, relaxed, slightly sleepy and content. She only gets a little worked up if I touch her but only a little.

 

[NatJ]

So I have two silkies and one of them has been sitting in the nest box over night and some time during the day so I have a feeling that she is going broody. Well now my other silkie is in the nest box. Does it sound like they are going broody? They are maybe a month younger than Amelia.

They certainly might be going broody. You will probably know for sure within a few days, by how they act.

Amelia is doing great I made sure she got plenty of food and water she seems calm, relaxed, slightly sleepy and content. She only gets a little worked up if I touch her but only a little.

I'm glad she's doing so well

 

[Farmgirl283420]

This morning I went out and picked Amelia up and let her out well one of the chicks has started to hatch! Once I put her back and she was drinking the chick or chicks started peeping and she went back on them! It was amazing!!! When do you think the little chick will hatch?