Author Topic: Broody hen sitting (Read 2264 times)

Litl_Deb · « **on:** April 21, 2010, 06:52:03 pm »

Hi Guys,
I have a very persistant broody hen, she has been sitting day and night for two weeks and will peck me ferociously if I try to touch her. I have read in my small chicken book that I should remove her from the nest each day so she can feed, I don't want to upset her as I would love to get some chicks - is it really necessary to pick her up, bearing in mind the flock is very free range and are not used to being handled at all? I think she has maybe two eggs underneath her as in my ignorance I did not recognise the signs that she was broody, I carried on collecting eggs - I have several very similar looking hens so I didn't notice that it may have been almost always her I saw hanging around the nest box. I have not seen her off the nest at all in the two weeks so far, is there any chance she will be sucessful without intervention??

Rosemary · « **Reply #1 on:** April 21, 2010, 06:59:53 pm »

If you have a cockerel, then she might be. I'd still make sure she eats and drinks although she'll probably be off, stuff her face and rush back.

Litl_Deb · « **Reply #2 on:** April 21, 2010, 07:05:43 pm »

I am having a fit of giggles now, imagining my ferocious hen "stuffing her face" !! You really think so ? I mean if she is still fine after two weeks, she must be getting off at some point, and I havent seen any muck in the nest. She must be a wily old bird, checks to see nobody is looking when she goes for a quick nosebag!

doganjo · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2010, 12:02:54 am »

You didn't answer Rosemary's question - you DO have a cockerel, don't you?

Litl_Deb · « **Reply #4 on:** April 27, 2010, 03:46:58 pm »

Yes, yes I do have a cockrel. I had one to start, but he got eaten by the fox just after she started sitting, I have had mostly fertile eggs so far. I got another cockrel who is finding his feet and gradually treading more and more birds.
Anyhoo... Saturday afternoon I noticed some broken eggshells near her and I thought, "Ho Hum, she's cracked her egg, that's the end of that then" I plucked up the courage to grab her off the nest and

there was a little chick - I am so happy, I can't tell you !!! I went to see my Man Who Knows and he gave me some good advice. There was another chick yesterday and we have one more egg to hatch. I have a brooding pen ready for her when she wants to leave the nest. I can see wholeheartedly how this becomes addictive.

Proud Mum