My golden laced wyandotte age 5-8? Decided to start sitting for the first time since I have had her (september '07). I have all hens, and knew that the eggs she was hoarding would not hatch. So I got a dozen local fertile eggs and put them under her. I do not have a "brooder". She is in a nice corner of the coop, and all other ladies seem to leave her alone. It has now been 4-5 days of straght sitting. She does not leave to eat or drink. Is this normal? I have put water close to her and I give a couple handfuls of food a day. I am super new to the whole chicken scene, and am looking for any advice. thank you b.
Most mother hens only leave the nest to eat and drink when they think it is safe (when you're not around). Unless you can watch her all day, I'm sure she is doing what she needs to. Just in case tho..keep a close eye on her. If she starts looking pale too fast, take her off of the nest once a day to take a walk and do her business (eat, drink, poop). Good luck with the hatch. Jody
Let nature take over-she knows all she needs to know about hatching. She will not starve herself to death. Keep food and water available to her and she'll get off the nest when she needs to. If possible it's not a bad idea to seperate her from the rest of the flock with a barrier of some sort. You don't need a brooder-she'll serve that function as well. When it gets close to hatching time have some chick starter available along with a waterer the chicks can drink from-mom will do the rest.