Silkie staying inside all day.

[BigBlueHen53]

It's normal and natural to worry when your hen acts different. It shows you're caring and paying attention, and you're a good chicken mommy! Don't worry, there's a good chance you'll both survive!

 

[Durelle]

Thank you!

 

[Durelle]

My broody silkie today has a wet butt. Is that normal? I keep removing the eggs and putting her outside. She eats and runs around then heads back inside. I dried her off with my hair dryer on low. Put her back out. Same thing happened. She ran around, ate a little bit and went back inside. I haven't put her in the rabbit hutch yet on wire because it's been so wet and cold. I just don't have the heart to do that. Tomorrow, it should warm up and I will put her in it during the day, but I will put her back in the coop at night. I'm just wondering if the wet scraggly butt is something to worry about.

 

[kiwi-chick]

the cooler the weather the easier it is to break them of broodiness. if the cage doesn't have a roof put a board or some plastic on top to protect the hen from rain and put her in that cage asap.

 

[Durelle]

the cooler the weather the easier it is to break them of broodiness. if the cage doesn't have a roof put a board or some plastic on top to protect the hen from rain and put her in that cage asap.

 

[Durelle]

It has a roof and is completely screened in. It has just been rain, snow, and drizzle the last few days. Chills me to the bone. Tomorrow it is suppose to be in the 50s. I will put her in it tomorrow. Our lows have been 20s and 30s.

 

[kiwi-chick]

I think you would be surprised at how low a temperature chickens can handle with no worries...

I left mine out in temps between 5C/40F and 10C/50F with drizzle and wind. My reluctant to break broody then broke in 2 days. I had a rubbish bin lid on top with a brick to stop it blowing off.

They can actually handle temperatures much lower with no problem. She should be ok with 20-30F. (EDIT: as long as she is not standing in water, ice or snow) They just don't handle wind or drafts in the coop very well in my experience, which is relatively short.

 

[Durelle]

I think you would be surprised at how low a temperature chickens can handle with no worries...

I left mine out in temps between 5C/40F and 10C/50F with drizzle and wind. My reluctant to break broody then broke in 2 days. I had a rubbish bin lid on top with a brick to stop it blowing off.

They can actually handle temperatures much lower with no problem. She should be ok with 20-30F. (EDIT: as long as she is not standing in water, ice or snow) They just don't handle wind or drafts in the coop very well in my experience, which is relatively short.

Thank you. She will be in the hutch tomorrow and Sunday for sure!

 

[Durelle]

Thank you so much!

Today her behind was wet. I dried her with the hairdryer. Is this normal? Tomorrow, I will put her in the hutch with food and water.

 

[Lizzy733]

When you say wet bottom, do you mean wet with water or loose runny stool?