What to feed a broody if I let her just do it.

[mamabigbird]

My EE "Matilda" has started laying again after more than 6 months in retirement.
She is about 5 or more years old and has gone broody every year since I've had her.
Her previous owner said she was a really good mom and raised a few batches.
We don't own a rooster but can get fertile eggs.

If she goes broody and we move her to a broody pen and give her some eggs, what do I feed her?
Is regular layer feed okay? And when the babies hatch what do I feed the babies? Chick starter crumbles?
Would Matilda show them the food and would she eat the chick starter too?

 

[Mum]

If she goes broody, I see no reason you couldn't put some fertilised eggs under her. When I had a broody hatching eggs, she had layers pellets. Once the chicks were born, she had chick crumb (plus, the first two days I gave mashed boiled egg).

 

[mamabigbird]

Thanks for the info. I'm hoping she does go broody. I'd love to watch her with little fluffy butts to fuss over.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Feed her regular feed. When the babies hatch, put out chick starter - it won't hurt the hen to eat it, she's not laying anyway. Just make sure all feeders/waterers are at chick level and she'll do everything else.

 

[debid]

The other option, if you do not separate her from the flock (or if you do, when you integrate) is to feed everyone an all-flock feed until the chicks reach laying age while offering oyster shell in a separate hopper for the laying hens. Lots of folks go that route.