My first broody.

[jurrasiccluck]

I have recently had one of my tiny hens go broody, which I am fine with, but it seems like today and yesterday she was in like a trance. She doesn't want to eat or drink and strangely doesn't react when I touch her. Help!

 

[Kiki]

Is she sitting on eggs?
If not...try to break the broodiness but removing her from the area.
If she doesn't eat and drink she will go down hill.

 

[jurrasiccluck]

Yes she's sitting on eggs and I would say she's about day 5 today. She growled at a hen while it was laying eggs in the next box so at least she's alert and I have 2 roosters so the eggs are fertile. That's her in my profile picture.

 

[LilJoe]

Not eating or drinking is normal for broodies. She probably goes out once a day or every other day without you knowing.

 

[sourland]

That's pretty normal broody behavior.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Sound like she's being a perfectly normal broody! She will come off the nest periodically to eat and drink and do her business. Don't worry and try not to mess with her much. You should have lil fluffy chicks in a couple of weeks!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hello and welcome to BYC

I'd suggest using the search function to learn more about the broody process. Here is a good place to begin your search - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/

 

[jurrasiccluck]

Also I have 10 eggs in incubator that will hatch a week before hers if any problems should occur can i put the eggs in the incubator?

 

[PlymouthRockBBredSebright]

Also I have 10 eggs in incubator that will hatch a week before hers if any problems should occur can i put the eggs in the incubator?

i would leave them out unless the hen abandons them. let her do her mommy hen thing

 

[bobbi-j]

Your broody is acting just like a broody. She will come off the nest once a day or so to eat and drink. Broodies like to think they're being sneaky when they come off the nest to take care of their daily business, so she's not likely to do so while you're watching her. You don't want to feed and water her on the nest or she may poop in there and soil the eggs. If that happens, they're not likely to hatch.

You could put the eggs in the incubator with the others, but then you will be dealing with a staggered hatch. Possible, but not real easy with just one incubator. If you had something you could use for a hatcher, it would be easier.