[Maddox]

Hello All

I posted last week that i had a broody hen and after great advice on here decided to get her some fertile eggs to hatch (no cockeral) I was very kindly given some from the lovely Dixie which I collected yesterday, I had palnned on moving her to a rabbit hutch and popping the new eggs under her, however this morning I let the girls out as usual and after 30mins out popped the broody hen, initially I thought she had come out for a drink/food/poo (so quickly swaped two old eggs for 2 new fertile ones), and just as I was thinking that she did a huge very runny poo (brown water type), however instead of going back to her eggs she has sat under a bush (near the flock) fluffed up all day.

I planned on washing her bum after the school run as it is in quite a mess but on returning from school she is now back on the eggs after leaving them for 7hrs???

So my questions are....

1..Is she poorly and not broody at all?
2..If broody, do I take her off and give her bum a good clean??
3..Is it normal for a broody chicken to leave the eggs for that amount of time?

Or have I got it all completely wrong??

Really not quite sure what to do with her if anything?

Any help/advice is much appreciated.

Maddox x

[shetlandpaul]

a few questions.
what type is she.
age.
how long has she sat.
if its only the fist day or so its possable that she is not fully broody yet.
don't worry about the poo its amazing the size and colours they produce.

[dixie]

Hiya! Dont panic about poo just yet, if she's been sitting a while already she may well do an unusual poo! personally I'd move her into the rabbit hutch with the eggs (swap them all for the hopefully fertile ones) and shut her in, the eggs have not been 'set' yet so dont worry. If she's poorly best to separate her anyway, see how she goes, you can ring me if you like, do you still have my number?

[sabrina]

I have a broody sitting on eggs that should hatch this weekend all being well. She was showing signs of going broody for about a week before she settled on her nest. ( soft clucking ) keeping the others away from her eggs and lastley making it very clear to me that I was to keep away. I left her 24 hours just to be sure then moved her into an enclosed pen along with her nest box and eggs to keep her safe. Most days she comes off the eggs just long enough to poo, drink and eat then back on and sits as quite as a mouse. 

[Maddox]

Hi All

Paul, she is a Light Sussex hybrid, been sitting for 4 days and im gussing around 9mnths old (got her at POL in JAN 09)

Dixie, yes still have your number, will pop her into a hutch tomorrow with rest of eggs she sitting on two of yours at the mo :0)

I can handle the poo but worried about the state her bum is in, poo everywhere.

Many thanks

Maddox xx

[shetlandpaul]

Shes quite young may just need to learn what shes doing. i would separate her and see. if the poo gets very bad then it will need washing. if it stays bad can you post a picture. I'm not an expert on chuck pooh but it could be anything or nothing. But it is stress full for her so give the girl extra goodies. We have five geese sitting at the moment and I'm just hoping the gander is fertile or possibly not where going to be swamped with goslings if they are all successful.

[Maddox]

Hi paul

Chicken poo photography, will do, shall add it to my CV too...lol

I will keep an eye on her, what extra goodies can I give her? how about some boiled pasta??

Maddox x

[doganjo]

Porridge!  - rolled oats, honey, hot water poured over, mix well - add milk to cool it down - they LURVE it!  You can add green veg to it too

[dixie]

How is she today?

[Maddox]

Hi Dixie

She seemed brighter but went in this afternoon and she had head tucked in behind wing but still alive and kicking, popped all your eggs in the other day and she hasnt left them once.

She has a pile of corn and fresh water by her side, i will get going on the rolled oats tomorrow (thanks Doganjo)

Maddox x

[dixie]

Hi Maddox, hows she doing now?  Our eggs have started to hatch, one yesterday one this morning!

[Maddox]

Hi Dixie

She is sitting tight, made her mash potatoe last night which she gobbled up

Fab news re your chicks, I cant wait, will let know asap if/when I get any.

xx