New member from SA: Broody hen wierd behaviour

[KooKoe]

Hi,
I have an old English Game hen (Trudie) who I've had for a few months. the pair were fully grown when I got them and they had a chick. the chick has since been removed from the hen and she now has 8 eggs in the nest. she usually roosts with the rooster (Jantjie), but for the past 3 nights has been sleeping on the eggs in the nest. During the day, she lays on the eggs for about a half an hour, and then goes foraging. after another half hour, she returns to the nest. she's on and off the nest all day? My cochins stay put when they are brooding? will the eggs hatch? The weather has been very hot at the moment, could that be the reason or is she a bad mom? PLS help guys!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Hello from Tucson and

I haven't had a broody yet but everything sounds normal. Post over in Chicken Behaviors and more people will be able to help you. I hope she hatches them all!

 

[redfeather]

I've heard that the eggs can be left for about 30 minutes at a time... think about it! Wild gamefowl (like actually wild) don't have food sitting in front of their noses all day... they would have to get up and forage for a meal sometime!

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
Hmmmmmmmmmm, THAT's an interesting point (fact) that I had never considered.