My setting hens don't seem to ever get up...

[Sisse]

I have two young hens who both decided to set at the same time. They are very dedicated and do not budge from their safe little sheltered nest that they set up for themselves. I do not watch them day and night, but I never see them off of their eggs. I wonder if I need to force them to get up to eat and drink, or if it is best to trust nature and let them decide for themselves.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to the forum, glad you joined.

I've seen broody hens leave their nest twice a day for over an hour each time. I've seen a broody hen leave her nest for 15 minutes once a day. I've had broody hens that I never saw off the nest. But since they were not pooping in the nest I knew they were getting up. I leave my broody hens alone and let them manage it themselves.

Some people on this forum put food and/or water right at the nest or take their broodies off the nest on a regular basis. Those broodies also tend to hatch eggs. I don't consider that necessary but I also don't see that it does any harm as long as the food and water doesn't mes sup the nest. Those broodies should still get up to go poop when they need to so the poop doesn't mess up the nest.

So do as you will. I don't consider either way right or wrong, just the way we do it. And again,