Thin broody hen

[maggie&thechicks]

I have a hen that has recently gone broody. I have been hoping one of my hens to do this for a couple of years. However, this hen is already much thinner than her buddies for some reason. I was afraid she was ill until it became plain she was broody. She has only been setting steady for a couple of days and I haven't given her any permanent eggs to incubate. I moved her out of the coop into her own space last night and she stayed.

My question is: how do I maintain/improve this hen's condition for the 3 weeks she will need to incubate eggs? Other hens I have had go broody were in good condition when they started.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I personally wouldn't use her if she's too thin as she will lose weight while sitting and won't necessarily show interest in eating more. I would break her for now, she probably will become broody again.

 

[peopleRanimals2]

Also, she may be skinnier because she is low in the pecking order. Try providing more spaces for her to eat without being bullied to improve her condition.

 

[chickens really]

I feed chick starter to my Broody Hens during setting, hatching and raising.....

 

[BantammChick]

I have a broody hen that does not come to eat with the other chickens,so I feed her her own handful of chicken feed,I feed my chickens egg pellets,corn and sometimes oats.She does not seem thin and looks fine.Try to feed her the same food you feed the others,and also make sure the others do not steal her food.