Will my Broody Hen be ok?

[AnnieSantiago]

I haven't seen my Broody Hen come off the nest to eat or drink in 3 days now.
Will she be ok???

 

[scflock]

I haven't seen my Broody Hen come off the nest to eat or drink in 3 days now.
Will she be ok???

Chances are she is coming off when you aren't looking. Sometimes I will catch my broodies off very early in the morning, and they will scoot back to the nest as soon as they see me. I have many broodies every summer, and I have never, ever had one starve or thirst to death. They are very dedicated to the nest, but their instinct won't let them starve to death. She will be fine

 

[AnnieSantiago]

ok thanks.
So I don't need to put food and water closer to her?

 

[scflock]

ok thanks.
So I don't need to put food and water closer to her?

Some people do, personally I don't. I don't change a thing, I let them hatch in the pen, and have high hatch rates and healthy birds. Others will move the feeders closer, and that's fine too. I think it's whatever you are comfortable doing. I wouldn't put it right beside the nest, because you want her to get up and go to the bathroom. I was just letting you know that if you don't move anything, chances are she will still be fine

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I haven't seen my Broody Hen come off the nest to eat or drink in 3 days now.
Will she be ok???

It is to the bird's advantage that you don't see them come off the nest. Being seen coming/going from the nest is a way to draw attention to the nests location for predators and that is not something a hen wants to do - they are naturally inclined to "sneak" their breaks. You don't say how far into the incubation she is - if she is at the point where "lockdown" would occur in the incubator, it is not unusual for a broody to be even less inclined to leave the nest at all.
Don't feed/water near the nest - it is best for all involved that when she does need to eat or drink she moves away from the nest to do so -- not only does this keep the nest from being fouled by food or water, it also makes it less likely that she will foul it with feces as she will have an opportunity to leave the nest to eliminate while going to/from the feed and water station. Additionally, food and water near the nest is an added attractant to pests (ants, small rodents, etc) that may not have otherwise been inclined to bother your broody.

 

[donrae]

I'm with the above two--I don't really change anything when I have a broody hen. I figure they need to get up and move once a day, but I rarely see it. I do mark the eggs under her and check every other day or so to be sure there haven't been additions as I don't do staggered hatches under a broody. My birds don't have problems with mites, etc and they have overall good hatch and survival rates.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I'm with the above two--I don't really change anything when I have a broody hen. I figure they need to get up and move once a day, but I rarely see it. I do mark the eggs under her and check every other day or so to be sure there haven't been additions as I don't do staggered hatches under a broody. My birds don't have problems with mites, etc and they have overall good hatch and survival rates.

Yes - overlooked that very important point.

 

[AnnieSantiago]

When you "check to see" if there are new eggs, do you push her out of the nest?

 

[scflock]

When you "check to see" if there are new eggs, do you push her out of the nest?

I lift mine up. Some will give you a peck, but nothing vicious. As soon as you set them down they will make sure all the eggs are ok, then settle back in

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

When you "check to see" if there are new eggs, do you push her out of the nest?

It depends on the hen and the nest -- if room and size of hen allows, I lift with one hand to elevate her off the eggs and use my other hand to check the eggs. If she is a big hen who has chosen a tight spot to brood, I will just lift her out and set her to the side and do what needs done to the eggs.