Worried About Broody Hen

[DillardHome]

I removed my broody hen with her eggs two days ago from the others and made a temporary pen for her so she would be left alone and to protect the new arrivals which are due to hatch in the next few days. I have her pen on our backporch right in front of the back door which is all glass so I can see her. Yesterday she didn't get off her nest at all not even to eat, drink or poo. Today she hasn't gotten off yet either. Is this normal? I am worried she isn't eating or drinking. What should I do? This is my first time letting one of my hens become a momma and I am just worried about her.

 

[Bookworm chick]

I think I read somewhere on here that it was normal if she didn't leave the nest the last 2-3 days before the hatch.

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

I'm sure you can see her, but did you stay up all night?

Just look for a monstrous pooh...I always remove them.

There will also be evidence---food missing.

She'll get off the nest when she needs to, I'm sure she's alright

 

[bwebb7]

when my hen was setting on eggs I took her off the eggs and made her go make her huge, stinky poo outside! she would also take a drink and a nibble of scratch at the same time.
Good luck!

 

[kimboolah]

From the department of monstrous pooh.....

We brought our broody indoors for the last few days so we could try to be present when the chicks hatched. Today one baby hatched and it is a perfect baby in every single way! Broody Momma is being a good Mom, so we thought we would take her and the baby out and let them walk around in the living room---
Then it happened.

I nearly had to evacuate the house. The huge-est pooh you ever saw. Big enough for a labrador retriever! Foul, wafting green malodorous clouds of ick permeated every corner of the house INSTANTLY. Of course, I quickly cleaned it up and steam cleaned the floor like a maniac!

But really, a most impressive pooh pile for a small chicken. How she avoided missing the baby, i will never know!

 

[Shifty Joe]

Just got my first broody hen today and I am thinking about moving her just like you did yours. Any suggestions on how to move her and what she needs out of her new nest?

 

[kimboolah]

We just grabbed her and the eggs and ran into the house and plunked her in a new nest box (plastic bin with straw in it and some wire shelving over the top. covered the top with a beach towel for added privacy (and to keep the cat away). She did really well in there--and the baby is fine (only one of two eggs hatched).


Beware of the pooh!

 

[willkatdawson]

When I have a broody, like I do now, I go down and take her off the eggs and outside at least 2x's a day. She goes to the bathroom and runs right back in to the eggs. If I could only house train the rest of them.

 

[MareeZoCool]

This is the first time I've had a hen that is broody too. I've been so worried about her not eating, I have placed her food & water dishes just inches from her nest, so she can reach a quick drink or nibble. I also hand-feed her a few of her favorite treats(raw oatmeal) once daily. Don't know if this is the right idea, bothering her as she's setting so seriously. I just worry too much!

 

[TXmom]

You said they're due to hatch in a few days...then the broody mommy is probably on "lockdown". The temperature and humidity are extremely important at the end, especially if they're starting to pip...Mommy knows best! Let her sit, as long as she has food and water available if she needs it.