setting silkie

[girls and guineas]

Should a setting hen get off for food and water?? Should you take her off a couple of times a day??

 

[Ridgerunner]

Practically every setting hen gets off the nest on her own to eat, drink, and poop. How often and for how long depends on the hen and the weather. In the middle of a hot summer I've seen a hen take a couple of breaks for over an hour each practically every day. In cooler weather those breaks are usually not as often and don't last as long. I've had some in the middle of a hot summer that only took a short break once a day. A lot of times I don't see them when they takes that break.

Ther is nothing wrong with taking her off once a day to give her the option. I check under a hen once a day to make sure no fresh eggs have shown up. Usually they go take a break but sometimes they just hop back on the nest.

If she is not pooping in the nest, she is probably taking enough breaks.

 

[girls and guineas]

Practically every setting hen gets off the nest on her own to eat, drink, and poop. How often and for how long depends on the hen and the weather. In the middle of a hot summer I've seen a hen take a couple of breaks for over an hour each practically every day. In cooler weather those breaks are usually not as often and don't last as long. I've had some in the middle of a hot summer that only took a short break once a day. A lot of times I don't see them when they takes that break.
Ther is nothing wrong with taking her off once a day to give her the option. I check under a hen once a day to make sure no fresh eggs have shown up. Usually they go take a break but sometimes they just hop back on the nest.
If she is not pooping in the nest, she is probably taking enough breaks.

Thank you. She is doing such a good job setting, I hope a couple eggs hatch for her patience! I'm not sure all 7 eggs are good.