Mama hen droopy tail

[RootieTootie]

Hi all
First time poster here. We gave our broody hen chicks last night. They are doing well. She hasn’t taught them to eat and drink and she is eating & drinking herself.

I haven’t noticed her get up at all yet, though. Her tail is down, and she seems to be a little lethargic.

It’s been triple digits here. I’ve checked her for mites, lice and she’s clear of that. Doesn’t seem to have a respiratory issue going on, vent is clean.

I don’t remember our last mama hen being so sedentary but maybe I’m just worrying too much. Could it be she’s just hot and tired from having new babies all night for the first time?
There’s ice in their waterer.

Thanks in advance

 

[RootieTootie]

Edit: she HAS taught them to eat & drink

 

[ella2025]

Hi all
First time poster here. We gave our broody hen chicks last night. They are doing well. She hasn’t taught them to eat and drink and she is eating & drinking herself.

I haven’t noticed her get up at all yet, though. Her tail is down, and she seems to be a little lethargic.

It’s been triple digits here. I’ve checked her for mites, lice and she’s clear of that. Doesn’t seem to have a respiratory issue going on, vent is clean.

I don’t remember our last mama hen being so sedentary but maybe I’m just worrying too much. Could it be she’s just hot and tired from having new babies all night for the first time?
There’s ice in their waterer.

Thanks in advance

I think its heat stress due to being in a hot coop sitting on chicks all day. In the coop temperature is usually 3-5 degrees hotter.

 

[ella2025]

I think its heat stress due to being in a hot coop sitting on chicks all day. In the coop temperature is usually 3-5 degrees hotter.

I have never had broody hens but maybe try to cool the hen down by putting something cold under her so she stops sitting? The chicks don't need her warmth if it's 100 degrees.

 

[RootieTootie]

She’s doing much better yesterday & today. It was still 99 degrees yesterday but honestly, she maybe just needed to poop
I was concerned so pulled her out and set her down yesterday morning to see if she could walk. She did the biggest broody poop ever then hopped back into her coop. She’s been more active ever since.