wolf-deer88
Songster
Good morning!Good morning/evening MJ and everyone
Yes, broody hens will get up to eat and drink, usually when the sun starts to go down and/or before it rises. Chickens can only go 24 hours without eating. Sometimes I'll just put some food beside my hen, where she can eat while she's setting.I have found the hens will get up when hungry but sometimes they go a few days in a row without moving.
I haven't been able to get comfy with the idea of getting them up. I know lots more experienced people than I get them up and I did it myself the first time Ivy went broody, but it feels all wrong. How can I possibly know if a hen is hungry or not? They don't need energy when they sit all day. Also, I would never disturb a person when they're in the zone and I can easily extend that respect to the hens. It's taken me a while to learn to trust them, but the hens at my house seem to take good care of themselves if given a chance to develop their independence.