Should I interfere with a broody (that I want to set)?

[Trish1974]

I have a 9 month old Araucana pullet that became broody on Sunday. If she is still wanting to set tomorrow evening I am going to put 7 eggs under her. I am 95% sure she has not been off the nest since Sunday a.m. At some point should I intervene and force her off the nest to eat or drink? This may be a silly question, but can hens die while being broody (from not eating or drinking?)

 

[50-45-1]

Dont mess with her. She will eat and drink when she wants to.
Likely when you are not arround to see her do it.
Put your eggs under her after dark with only a dim flashlight.
Keep us updated!

 

[aart]

This is why I like to put broodies in a separate section of coop, easier to tell if they've been off to eat(feed smoothed in small cup, drink(clear vessel with level marked), poop(hard to miss a broody poop!).
I have roused a broody off the nest after 2-3 days,
usually only takes once and they start ~daily constitutionals on their own.

 

[danceswithronin]

I've never had a broody hen that didn't get off the nest at least once a day of her own accord to eat and drink and take a nasty poop. I've heard that hens can die being broody but if I notice one brooding while I'm checking for eggs, I'll usually throw her out of the coop while I check the nest. When I do she usually runs to eat and drink with the others, then returns to the nest as soon as I leave. If I had one setting a nest deliberately for me, I'd probably just leave her alone and let her choose when to leave the eggs.

 

[chickens really]

I move mine every couple of days if she won't move to get her to poop and eat. I set mine up in a separate Broody pen too.

 

[Trish1974]

Luckily she is setting in the end box, and the coop is big enough I can wall her off from the others without any disturbance.
Last night I gave her a few squirts of permethrin spray under her wings, and she screamed bloody murder and viciously attacked my hands and arms! I've never had a broody go off like that. Hopefully that is a sign of dedication.
I still don't think she has moved...

 

[Trish1974]

I have another question about my broody. Should I candle her eggs at some point - or just let her do her thing and let nature take its course?

 

[aart]

I have another question about my broody. Should I candle her eggs at some point - or just let her do her thing and let nature take its course?

I like to candle about day 10, just to remove any duds.
I pull them out one at a time, sort into good and bad, then shove the good ones back under.
Done well after dark for easier seeing and to keep her calmer.

 

[chickens really]

You can if you want?..I generally don't bother.