Should I...?

[ChickenGal1842]

Should I put a small food and water thing next to my hen who is laying on eggs so she doesn't have to get up?

 

[bobbi-j]

Should I put a small food and water thing next to my hen who is laying on eggs so she doesn't have to get up?

No. She needs to get off the eggs to eat, drink, dust bathe if she wants, and most importantly to poop. If she doesn’t have to get off the nest, she’ll likely poop on the eggs and that could kill them.

 

[ChickenGal1842]

Thank you!!!

 

[Joeschooks]

Welcome to BYC! There’s so many helpful, knowledgeable folks here and I’m sure you’ll find this site a very useful resource. I hope you enjoy it as much as we all do.

I don’t have a huge amount of experience with broodies but Id say the exercise of getting up and walking will be beneficial so I’d avoid it unless there’s a good reason not to

 

[RodNTN]

X2 @bobbi-j, she needs to get off the nest at least once a day

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Welcome from New Orleans, I see you are getting good advice already. Don't be shy about asking questions, no matter what they are. your thread starter was a really good one. We love questions and being helpful when we can. This is also a fun place to read some really funny stuff that is truly educational, so jump right in and enjoy.

 

[ChickenGal1842]

Do u think that the other chickens will eat or bother the eggs when she gets off tho?

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Do u think that the other chickens will eat or bother the eggs when she gets off tho?

I have never had that experience, nest is usually left alone, except the occasional extra egg laid in it. So it is important to mark the hatching eggs so you can tell them from the newly laid ones in the nest.

 

[ChickenGal1842]

Ok thanks

 

[bobbi-j]

X2 @Ursuline Chick - I like to have my broodies be able to get off the nest when they want to, not cage them up so they have to wait for me to let them out for food and water, etc. They really don’t like to be pestered when they’re setting.