What is the longest your broody has set?

[NewEnglandChick]

Quote:
That makes me sooo nervous. I have a broody hen now (about 5/6 days) and I'm picking up eggs for her within the next week, so I'm planning her being there for another 3-4 weeks. I have food & water in with her, but perhaps I should get her some special treats to hand feed her just to make SURE she's getting something to eat. I assumed if the food & water were in the box she'd have no reason not to eat or drink...guess I should rethink that theory!

 

[Chickenaddict]

I had a hen sit for 12 weeks straight, wire bottom cage didn't work for her nor did anything else I tried. She eventually got to hatch chicks then turned around and tried to kill one 2 weeks after she had been raising them. The chick she tried to kill is a happy healthy adult today. It is not healthy to let them sit for long periods of time, they do loose alot of weight even when you take them off the nest to eat/drink/poo it sucks the life right out of them putting all that energy into keeping those eggs nice and toasty warm.

 

[dirtdoctor]

Quote:
That makes me sooo nervous. I have a broody hen now (about 5/6 days) and I'm picking up eggs for her within the next week, so I'm planning her being there for another 3-4 weeks. I have food & water in with her, but perhaps I should get her some special treats to hand feed her just to make SURE she's getting something to eat. I assumed if the food & water were in the box she'd have no reason not to eat or drink...guess I should rethink that theory!

I have had other girls that went broody and such with out the dieing part. I think it was just a genetic problem with that batch of hens, They were litter mates. That is why I culled the rest.

Your hens should do well.

 

[lotzahenz]

I too had a Mille Fleur hen set till she dried up and one day she stood up and died standing. I had food and water right in front of her, so she never had to move off the nest. She ignored it, but it was ate by something, so I left her be. I now make sure broodies are booted off the nest and if they are immobile I shuffle them around a bit so they go poo, which is usually HUGE. Then, they usually eat and drink a bit, which I do every 2 or 3 days. I had a hen tonight I found on a nest of FRESH eggs, her chicks outside the coop, in the rain cheeping for help. She got booted off the nest, but babies are now in the brooder. I think she prefers the eggs to the noisy chicks! Nah, she is just a newby, she'll figure it out some day.

As far as the hen you have, I'd buy or make me a bator, but I'd let her set on your eggs till she gives up, if you get them really soon. If she quits on you, pop them in the bator, just make sure you date them so you have an idea when they should hatch. Good luck. OH, if you do get a bator, you'll have to fill her up, so you may be better off with JUST a hen? Good luck! HenZ

 

[ReiMiraa]

mine sat on eggs for 4 weeks then 3 of the eggs hatched. weird i know.
she would of kept sitting on the bad eggs but i pulled them out last night.