[ponylady]

Mrs Broody, she's a Pekin Bantam, has been sitting tight on her foster-eggs for 10 days now. I've seen her off eating once or twice but the eggs were always still warm and she didn't leave them for long.
I just went out to shut the big girls in and check round, and Mrs Broody was out eating ... strangely the second time today I've seen her out eating. Her eggs were almost cold When I left, half an hour later, she was dithering in the doorway. I know she was going in as it was 20 past sunset ... Opinions please. Has she abandoned? Is she just having a blip? Will the eggs still be viable? This is her first brood and the other bantams refuse to go broody, as do the big girls.

[doganjo]

Can you separate her so she's on her own with the eggs and nowhere to go except short distance to water and food?  I would do that tonight if possible. She may have gone off and go to sleep elsewhere in teh coop.

[ponylady]

She is on her own and has been since she started sitting, her food and water are very close.

[doganjo]

Not much more you can do, unless the space she is in is big enough for her to sleep off the nest, in which case you could try restricting her further, but otherwise i think it's   

Good luck 

[roddycm]

Make sure the nest and Mrs broody aren't infested with mites! That could be the problem.

[ponylady]

I've just been treating *everything* for the dreaded redmite I've only seen a couple of the little blighters, but I think you've hit the mail on the head ... and that thought had crossed my mind last night

[devonlady]

Wishing you well If she does go off her eggs do you have an incubator or can you borrow one? Whereabouts are you? I have several incys  and if you are Devon way you would be welcome to a borrow.

[ponylady]

I am in East Sussex, but thank you for your offer. I am hoping through my local chook buddies I will be able to find an incubator or a broody. I am pleased to report Mrs Broody will on her eggs and all seems fine.  please 

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Why not get a really large, deep cardboard box and put some straw in it along with food and water and then you could have her indoors and be able to lift her every now and again.