The Poultry Keeper

lillie02 · Joined: 18 May 2008 Posts: 52 Location: Wales

Day 14 and I can't wait.

However my broody doesn't seem to be eating alot. I have put mixed corn and water next to her nest so that she can reach it, as she only comes off every couple of days. Her comb is looking pale and her face a bit grey. I gave her some boiled egg Friday and she ate a small amount and got some cat food yesterday but she wouldn't touch it. I noticed today that her poo contained whole pieces of corn is this because she is not eating grit?

I did used to lift her when she first started sitting but she broke one of the eggs which has left me with 2. Should I leave her or try lifting her again?

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3540 Location: Monmouthshire

Put the food and water where she has to get up and walk to it. More importantly, dust her and her nest for mites /lice. Lethargy and pale comb can mean that they have multiplied horrifically (this is the worst time of year for red mite). Put her back in sight of the eggs & let her settle herself; that way she shouldn't break any eggs. I keep my broodies on layers pellets so they don't need grit - still get smelly well formed poos.

JC · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 1116 Location: Sussex

They dont tend to eat much, just make sure theres food infront of her, and just let her get on with it. Afterall its natural so they should know what there doing Smile

lillie02 · Joined: 18 May 2008 Posts: 52 Location: Wales

I have moved her food and water back out into the pen and added some growers pellets. I took the side off the broody box and had her out in the garden for a while. I dusted her with louse powder and the nest and she had a bit of a scratch around and then went back on her nest. I will see how she gets on now.

mojo · Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:22 pm Post subject:

always offer broodys pellets ..they need a complete food whilst sitting

lillie02 · Joined: 18 May 2008 Posts: 52 Location: Wales

2 days to go Very Happy

I am so exited.

casatinto · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:42 pm Post subject:

Hi everyone, my hen didnt eat a thing all 21 days of sitting. I left food and water within reach and thought she would get what she wanted. As she was a feisty bird and pecked me whenever i came within a foot of her, i left her alone. She used to puff herself up to twice her size and look at me with mean eyes as if to say........ "you dare!!!"

I was worried about her lack of eating/drinking but she produced 4 chicks who were healthy and happy and when she came out of her nest to bring them for their first scratch in the garden, she was no thinner and was active despite having her legs bent for so long. I will never worry about it again next time..

Squidge · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 269 Location: Folkestone, Kent

Question please as we are on broodies. How long does a hen remain broody if she has no eggs. I keep taking her out of the nest box and throwing her up to fly down to wake her up, she then goes straight back to the nest box. Second attempt, put her in a separate pen with food and water, she ate and drank and walked up and down constantly pipping. She was there all day and straight back to nest box as soon as I let her out. Kept doing this but it's been going on for about two weeks now. If I block the nest box she camps down next to it. I don't really want more chickens at the moment. How long will she keep this up?

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 2089 Location: norfolk

Put really uncomfortable things into the nest box. Don't block it but use half bricks and rubble. She can sit on them but it won't be long before she gives it up I reckon, although there's always one which goes on and on. In which case 6 weeks is probably the answer!

Squidge · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 269 Location: Folkestone, Kent

Oh.... No !

lfreebs · Joined: 23 May 2008 Posts: 34 Location: Norfolk

Hi, I remember somewhere on this site somebody recommending putting ice blocks (the things you use to keep food cold at picnics) under her. I know I will try that when I next have a broody hen. I was a nervous wreck by the time my first brood of chicks hatched !

Good luck, Lynda

Squidge · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 269 Location: Folkestone, Kent

As she's still at it I'll try to find the ice things and see if it works although I have said that she will camp down next to the nest if she can't actually get in there. Watch this space.

mojo · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:47 pm Post subject:

casatinto........i very much doubt a bird can go 21 days without food or water...........i reckon she was nipping out when you where not looking....to unbrrody a hen you need to lower her body temperature..........in a cat carrier in the run for a few days and nights works