Worried About Broody Hen

[peggym]

I had two broodys last summer, both cochins, and I just put them in the small coop by themselfs and left them to their own devices! They had access to a small run and lots of food and water, They did really good, they will get of their nests when they're ready, I'd say they know what theyre doing!!!!!

 

[Lobzi]

I have had a few broody hen sessions over the years and here is my experience.

If they are just in the nest box in the coop, open so they can see what is going on with the world and other chickens can come "visit" them, they leave the nest at least daily to feed and poo.

If I put up a solid barrier to block out their view and keep others completely away, they really zone out. They rarely leave the nest and I can hardly get them to eat treats I put in with them, even ones they would normally devour such as meal worms.

I wouldnt worry as long as you check on her and make sure all is fine in the nest box.

 

[DillardHome]

Quote:
That is exactly what happened. When her nest box was in the coop with the others she would get off to eat, drink, dust bathe and of course poo. But now she is in a separate area with no visitors and she is totally zombiefied, off in another world. I have checked the cage not a trace of poo, and her water and food are both still full. I always check on her to make sure she is still breathing

 

[DillardHome]

Quote:
I have those plastic dishpans in my nest boxes so her nest was simple to move. I made a box out of plywood with an opening on the end so I could easliy attach a dog crate to that end so I could just open the little cage door to refill her water, food and clean up any poo (she obviously doesn't need my help right now

). I took the dog crate into the coop and of course she is on the nest refusing to budge so I picked up the dishpan which had her nest and herself in it. I put it in the dog crate and took it to the box I made. Slid the dishpan into the box and attached the dog crate to the opened end. She made the move with no fuss. And thus the waiting game begins.

 

[Lobzi]

Quote:
That is exactly what happened. When her nest box was in the coop with the others she would get off to eat, drink, dust bathe and of course poo. But now she is in a separate area with no visitors and she is totally zombiefied, off in another world. I have checked the cage not a trace of poo, and her water and food are both still full. I always check on her to make sure she is still breathing

Thats all you can do. I do believe she is happier without the distraction of the others. I noticed that mine hardly eat, and therefore hardly poo when totally isolated. Dont worry, she is doing what she knows is best for her babies. By the way, once I put up the barrier, Im getting 100% hatch rate. Prior to that I was getting less than 50%.

 

[DillardHome]

Quote:
That is exactly what happened. When her nest box was in the coop with the others she would get off to eat, drink, dust bathe and of course poo. But now she is in a separate area with no visitors and she is totally zombiefied, off in another world. I have checked the cage not a trace of poo, and her water and food are both still full. I always check on her to make sure she is still breathing

Thats all you can do. I do believe she is happier without the distraction of the others. I noticed that mine hardly eat, and therefore hardly poo when totally isolated. Dont worry, she is doing what she knows is best for her babies. By the way, once I put up the barrier, Im getting 100% hatch rate. Prior to that I was getting less than 50%.

Thanks Robin! I can't wait to see the little ones. I candled them a few days ago and you can't see any light through eight of the nine. But I think the 9th one somehow ended up in her nest prior to the move and it is not as "old" as the other eight. But I'm still eggcited!!!

 

[Lobzi]

Cool and good luck to you! Im expecting two hatches, one the end of this week and the other a week later. Im going to be inundated with peeps!!! With the barrier up Im expecting 100% hatch rate and that could mean 20+ new peeps!

 

[DillardHome]

Quote:
GOOD LUCK with your hatches!

Do you sell yours or keep them?

 

[Lobzi]

So far I keep them. I want to increase the number of hens I have yet keep my flock closed. Im relying on my hens to do it for me. Unfortunately they are producing about 75% roos so it is slow going.

 

[LSU2001]

I had a RIR go broody last summer. She first sat on a clutch of 9 eggs and was sitting very well for the first couple of days, then disaster. A large rat snake got in during the night and ate all but two of the eggs. That day I got 8 eggs out of my other hens so I removed the two left from the original clutch and put in the 8 new eggs. She stayed on that clutch and hatched and raised 5 chicks. She sat on the eggs and I kept food and water available at all times and she did what she needed with little help from me. I believe that mama knows best in almost every case.
Tim