Poopy hen

[Okaythen]

I’m thinking about letting my hen hatch more eggs next year, but the last time she did, she pooped herself and the chicks ended up smelling like poop too. She wouldn’t leave them for even a second, and the babies were chirping so loudly when I tried to clean her up. This time, I’m considering getting chicks from a hatchery instead, but I’m a bit worried about how my hen will react. When would be the best time to put the chicks under her? (Also is it normal for hens to poop themselves while broody?)

 

[Debbie292d]

I have silkies so a lot of broody hens, and no, they don't poop in the nest. Instead, they can go a whole day without pooping then get up to go poop a giant one, larger than a golf ball.

Not every hen will accept baby chicks, but the best luck you'd have is if you do it when they're less than a week old. The older they are, the more chance she may not.

If it was her first time hatching chicks, they sometimes do things a seasoned hen wouldn't. She'd surely be better the next time.