My first broody hen!

[Justonemorechicken]

My broody would leave the nest once a day to eat, drink, poo and run out for a quick dustbath. I wish I would have seperated her because we lost 2 nearly full grown chicks wen the eggs got cracked beyond repair. Sounds like you have done your part now she will do the rest.

 

[silkie10]

I wouldn't test a tiny egg if your chickens are full sized. If the egg is fertilized, it is unlikely that the chick will survive to hatch or live long after hatch because the egg won't have enough space or enough nutrients to sustain the chick.

yeah, she accidentally broke it anyways.

 

[Teila]

Hey silkie10

How very exciting and good luck with the hatch.

Because of my flock dynamics I too separate my broodies into their own space.

One tip I do have is to keep an eye on the lice and mite situation. Stationery, warm and cosy broodies are a haven for them.

 

[silkie10]

Her comb and waddles are really pale is that a bad thing?

 

[silkie10]

Do you think she's not eating?

 

[Redhead Rae]

Her comb and waddles are really pale is that a bad thing?

Do you think she's not eating?

In my experience, my broodies combs tend to get less red while they are not laying and they redden back up when they start laying again. I wouldn't describe it as "really pale" though.

With my hens, I go out once a day, check their feed and water, and gently pull them off the nest and put them down next to their feed. If she refuses to move or is too mean, I would put a plate where she could reach it from the nest and several times a day offer her a drink of water with a rabbit bottle (my preferred method of watering mamas and chicks because the water doesn't get dirty). Add some vitamins to the water as well.

 

[silkie10]

In my experience, my broodies combs tend to get less red while they are not laying and they redden back up when they start laying again. I wouldn't describe it as "really pale" though.

With my hens, I go out once a day, check their feed and water, and gently pull them off the nest and put them down next to their feed. If she refuses to move or is too mean, I would put a plate where she could reach it from the nest and several times a day offer her a drink of water with a rabbit bottle (my preferred method of watering mamas and chicks because the water doesn't get dirty). Add some vitamins to the water as well.

thanks

 

[silkie10]

So the chicks hatched quite a while ago. There where only two and they both died

their names where Olive and Rosie. pics..... I took some but they all disappeared.
We where at church when they died. When we came home I came to put them up and I couldn't find them. (It was dark) we looked for a while and we eventually found them dead on the ground. I think my dog got to them, she doesn't normally kill chickens but then again she's never seen chicks before, and the mom did behave aggressively but only because she was protecting.
Again,sorry there are no pics, but I will tell you that they where REALLY cute!
Just in case anyone is worrying the mother is still alive and well.

 

[Redhead Rae]

So the chicks hatched quite a while ago. There where only two and they both died

their names where Olive and Rosie. pics..... I took some but they all disappeared.
We where at church when they died. When we came home I came to put them up and I couldn't find them. (It was dark) we looked for a while and we eventually found them dead on the ground. I think my dog got to them, she doesn't normally kill chickens but then again she's never seen chicks before, and the mom did behave aggressively but only because she was protecting.
Again,sorry there are no pics, but I will tell you that they where REALLY cute!
Just in case anyone is worrying the mother is still alive and well.

I'm sorry, losing chickens, especially chicks, is hard.