Wing It Ranch

[WingItRanch]

Totally normal behavior, especially in this heat. Yes you can mark them with a sharpie, I usually just put an X on them, if you use anything else it'll just rub off. Has she been sleeping in the nest?

Ok.. I know I'm just a newbie when it comes to this but.. is this normal? It's very hot today so starting around noon she's been on and off the nest but mostly off it. Now she's back in the coop but just sitting near the nest. I've never seen any of my chickens just sit in the bedding like that. Normal? Maybe she wants to be near it but doesn't want to sit because she knows it's too hot?

 

[WingItRanch]

@Perris I've seen a few of your posts mentioned you've had broodies leave the nest for hours during hot weather and the chicks still hatched?

It's like 110 heat index. High humidity day. I've been letting her sit for a couple days but only gave her fertilized eggs yesterday afternoon. She's been off the nest for hours during the hottest part of the day...

Googling it made me nervous because everyone says their broodies only leave the nest for like 10 - 30 minutes!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Ok.. I know I'm just a newbie when it comes to this but.. is this normal? It's very hot today so starting around noon she's been on and off the nest but mostly off it. Now she's back in the coop but just sitting near the nest. I've never seen any of my chickens just sit in the bedding like that. Normal? Maybe she wants to be near it but doesn't want to sit because she knows it's too hot?
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I've never had one leave for hours at a time, but like yesterday Onyx took 3-hour long breaks. I'd just watch her and see. Try not to stress.

 

[WingItRanch]

I've never had one leave for hours at a time, but like yesterday Onyx took 3-hour long breaks. I'd just watch her and see. Try not to stress.

I'll try! This is why I wanted to break her instead... I worry! Honestly, if she never took a break, I'd also worry.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I'll try! This is why I wanted to break her instead... I worry! Honestly, if she never took a break, I'd also worry.

I completely understand They're animals, and no matter how hard we try, we can't control what they do.

 

[Perris]

@Perris I've seen a few of your posts mentioned you've had broodies leave the nest for hours during hot weather and the chicks still hatched?

It's like 110 heat index. High humidity day. I've been letting her sit for a couple days but only gave her fertilized eggs yesterday afternoon. She's been off the nest for hours during the hottest part of the day...

Googling it made me nervous because everyone says their broodies only leave the nest for like 10 - 30 minutes!

Indeed. I've had broodies leave the nest for half the day, during the first several days, with no ill effects, even in the sort of temps we get here (rarely into the 80s, only exceptionally and briefly higher). I've read something on it too, saying it's fine and natural, though I don't remember where now and it may take some time to rediscover.

So I would echo the advice not to stress over it. Broodies generally know what they are doing, at least better than we do. Good luck!

 

[WingItRanch]

Ok thank you both @Perris and @Auntiejessi3 for talking sense into me. I suppose she knows better about being a chicken than I do and I'll just go with the flow.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Ok thank you both @Perris and @Auntiejessi3 for talking sense into me. I suppose she knows better about being a chicken than I do and I'll just go with the flow.

Yes ma'am she does Is she back on the nest?

 

[WingItRanch]

Yes ma'am she does Is she back on the nest?

Yes! She was off the nest for close to 4 hrs but she's back on and hasn't moved since.

When I was trying to break her last weekend, I moved her off the nest several times so she got to the point where I would open the nest box door and she would run off. So I was worried she would do the same now that I've let her sit for a couple days but nope. I collected the eggs in the boxes next to hers and she didn't move an inch. I also heard her screech at one of the hens that came in to lay an egg. She's a fierce little girl!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Yes! She was off the nest for close to 4 hrs but she's back on and hasn't moved since.

When I was trying to break her last weekend, I moved her off the nest several times so she got to the point where I would open the nest box door and she would run off. So I was worried she would do the same now that I've let her sit for a couple days but nope. I collected the eggs in the boxes next to hers and she didn't move an inch. I also heard her screech at one of the hens that came in to lay an egg. She's a fierce little girl!

She gearing up her crazy- time