MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

Every day.
If a broody didn't get off her nest (assuming I had found her by then) every day, then I took them off.
You need to prepare a bowl of food and water. Gently lift the hen of her nest and carry her to the food and water. Make sure the hen stands up. Don't let her eat half crouched or sitting. Often once they are awake they jump into the air and make a strange call. Don't worry about that. It means they are awake and fight ready. Bear in mind all feral hens survive by doing this, None eat at the nest site.
Apart from not having food at the nest site normally, a broody hen needs to dust bathand poop away from the nest. Dust bathing helps them to control the humidity at the nest site. They usually prefer slightly moist soil ime. In the jungle it's realtively easy to find. In Catalonia there were favourite spots where broodies used to bath.
If necessary shut the broody out of the nest site for up to 15 mins.
Most get the hang of the routine. Most leave the nest at the same time each day as long as the weather and temperature are reasonably constant.
It's these what may seem unimportant things that help ensure a decent hatch rate and healthy chicks.
There were a couple of hens that I had to take off their nest every day for 20 days. It's well worth doing.

Peggy fights me when I try to lift her off her eggs. I can't imagine her doing anything other than running straight back to the eggs, but I'll give it a try.

 

[Shadrach]

Peggy fights me when I try to lift her off her eggs. I can't imagine her doing anything other than running straight back to the eggs, but I'll give it a try.

People do shut broody hens in and feed them at the nest site. They also let the hens poop at the nest site. They are usually worried that the hen may abandon the nest. It's a chance you take. It is never a good idea imo to try and force a hen to sit and hatch.

 

[MaryJanet]

People do shut broody hens in and feed them at the nest site. They also let the hens poop at the nest site. They are usually worried that the hen may abandon the nest. It's a chance you take. It is never a good idea imo to try and force a hen to sit and hatch.

Sure, that would be an unkindness.

I'll just be clear the Peggy has the option of getting up all day every day, but she's not interested in taking it.

Whereas I could rely upon Ivy and Mary to eat, drink and bathe. Although they never had eggs to look after.

 

[Shadrach]

I can't remember off the top of my head how many broody hens I've dealt with over the years. I've done what I've outlined above with every one. A few have abandoned their nests. They'll go broody again.

 

[MaryJanet]

She got up the other day for a poop and a drink, but that was after I made the mistake of giving her food within reach of the nest. She filled up on it, digested, and preferred pooping away from the eggs.

Anyway, I'll get her up and see what she does.

 

[Shadrach]

Sure, that would be an unkindness.

I'll just be clear the Peggy has the option of getting up all day every day, but she's not interested in taking it.

Whereas I could rely upon Ivy and Mary to eat, drink and bathe. Although they never had eggs to look after.

If you put her in front of food when you lift her off the nest away from the site she should eat. If you have to give her something nice to get her started then do that.
As you can imagine, it isn't good for anyone to be locked into a sitting position for 21 days surrounded by poop and trying to eat in a position that is bad for their digestion.

 

[BY Bob]

A question for the brains trust: how often should Peggy get up to eat and drink?

I can't say she's making a habit of it.

Once a day.

Chicken tax because I am certain that someone else already answered.

I have no idea why I was holding Aurora in this picture.

 

[BY Bob]

Every day.
If a broody didn't get off her nest (assuming I had found her by then) every day, then I took them off.
You need to prepare a bowl of food and water. Gently lift the hen of her nest and carry her to the food and water. Make sure the hen stands up. Don't let her eat half crouched or sitting. Often once they are awake they jump into the air and make a strange call. Don't worry about that. It means they are awake and fight ready. Bear in mind all feral hens survive by doing this, None eat at the nest site.
Apart from not having food at the nest site normally, a broody hen needs to dust bath and poop away from the nest. Dust bathing helps them to control the humidity at the nest site. They usually prefer slightly moist soil ime. In the jungle it's realtively easy to find. In Catalonia there were favourite spots where broodies used to bath.
If necessary shut the broody out of the nest site for up to 15 mins.
Most get the hang of the routine. Most leave the nest at the same time each day as long as the weather and temperature are reasonably constant.
It's these what may seem unimportant things that help ensure a decent hatch rate and healthy chicks.
There were a couple of hens that I had to take off their nest every day for 20 days. It's well worth doing.

@MaryJanet

Remember, I had to remove Phyllis from the nest every day. She would not get up on her own. I had food, water, and a planter of moist soil ready for her to dustbathe in. Here are some video reminders.

I get her off the nest and prime her with some hand fed corn.

I had to do this every day she was broody or she would not leave the nest. My friend JD even did it for me when I was away one weekend.

 

[BY Bob]

Peggy fights me when I try to lift her off her eggs. I can't imagine her doing anything other than running straight back to the eggs, but I'll give it a try.

I took Phyllis out of the coop. You can see in the video that she was tranced and had to wake up. I take it Peggy is not tranced when you removed her.

Something just occurred to me. Are you watching her all day. Do you know that she is not getting up? I had the camera trained on Phyllis so that I knew she wasn't getting up.

 

[Shadrach]

@MaryJanet

Remember, I had to remove Phyllis from the nest every day. She would not get up on her own. I had food, water, and a planter of moist soil ready for her to dustbathe in. Here are some video reminders.

I get her off the nest and prime her with some hand fed corn.

I had to do this every day she was broody or she would not leave the nest. My friend JD even did it for me when I was away one weekend.

I had forgotton you did that. Great videos.