Setting hen

[AngelaGifford]

Do I need to make my hen get off her eggs so she can eat and drink? I haven't seen her off the nest yesterday or today. I put food on the ground right next to her and puffed up so I just let her be. What do I do?

 

[Abriana]

Do I need to make my hen get off her eggs so she can eat and drink? I haven't seen her off the nest yesterday or today. I put food on the ground right next to her and puffed up so I just let her be. What do I do?

She will get off to get food and water, stretch her legs, and poop. You don't need to take her off the nest. If she does not get up, do remove her once per day and no more. Always give her the option to get up and leave. On day 18, the eggs need to be kept at a consistent temperature, and the hen knows that. From day 18 to day 21, she will not get up. Do not touch the eggs, lift her up, remove her, or move the eggs. The chicks are getting into hatching position and if you move them, you will jostle them out of position and they will have to waste valuable energy tying to reposition themselves. Good luck with your hatch!

 

[AngelaGifford]

I've been putting food and water close enough to her that she can get it without getting up (because she hasn't been getting up) should I still get her up? We are on day 4.

 

[Abriana]

Yes, keep getting her up. On day 18, she will probably appreciate that water and food! If she has food and water there and doesn't want to get up, just take her off the nest to poop but make sure she always has the option to leave if she wants to.

 

[bobbi-j]

I would move that food and water so she has to get up. If she doesn't have to get up, she may start pooping in the nest, soiling the eggs. That could kill the eggs. Unless you're watching her all day every day, she's likely getting up when you're not looking. Broodies tend to like to be secretive when they're setting.

 

[AngelaGifford]

I would move that food and water so she has to get up. If she doesn't have to get up, she may start pooping in the nest, soiling the eggs. That could kill the eggs. Unless you're watching her all day every day, she's likely getting up when you're not looking. Broodies tend to like to be secretive when they're setting.

So I just got her up off of her nest and found one of the eggs had broken. It's just shells and there are ants EVERYWHERE! What do I do? Should I move her nest? She's up against some blackberry bushes and ivy. We'd rather have her in the coop anyway, but I'm afraid if we move her and the eggs, that she will leave the nest for good. Help!

 

[bobbi-j]

When I move a setting hen, I move them at night with as little commotion and light as possible. It has worked more often than not. If she's not in a secure run, she could well become a meal for some night time predator.

 

[AngelaGifford]

When I move a setting hen, I move them at night with as little commotion and light as possible. It has worked more often than not. If she's not in a secure run, she could well become a meal for some night time predator.

Ok. We have a fenced backyard but yes, we haven't been in love with her being out of the coop at night. Will the other chickens harm her eggs? Maybe I should have done some research before starting this journey lol

 

[bobbi-j]

Ok. We have a fenced backyard but yes, we haven't been in love with her being out of the coop at night. Will the other chickens harm her eggs? Maybe I should have done some research before starting this journey lol

Putting her in the coop could jeopardize her eggs if the other hens decide to join her in the nest to lay their own eggs. Your broodie's eggs could get broken. How big is your coop in feet by feet? Could you partition off a section where you can put feed and water far enough that she has to get up and get them? How many other hens do you have?

 

[AngelaGifford]

We have 5 hens all together and the hen house they sleep in is not big. The hens all lay in the same nest. Hmm... I'll try partitioning it off.