Sitting broody

[Emmylou]

Hello everyone
Just wondered what the general advice is regarding taking a broody hen off once a day for a leg stretch, food, water and a poo is?!!
I have read "leave her alone, she will come off to eat and drink" and I have also read "take her off once a day or she will starve".
I have a broody and I'm awaiting some fertile eggs. Just wondered what experience you have had with this?
Thanks!

[Nicos]

Of the 3 which I have allowed to sit, 2 of them got off and fed, watered and did their 'daily' when I threw out corn in the mornings,
Betty however just sat and sat and sat. She did have water nearby and I'm sure she would of had a drink and a bite to eat. But- she rapidly lost weight.

With her, I used to carefully lift her out - (yes she'd make a lot of noise but wouldn't go for me) but I could see the possibility of her (me) damaging an egg in the process.
Once near the food and water she'd get stuck in and then dash back to the eggs.I'd try and do that twice a day.
She's by far my best mom and I'll be entrusting some spesh eggs to her.
If I removed the other moms from their nests they'd forget to go back!!!!Maybe they were just too immature to be caring for eggs???

So...I suppose it's up to you, and how you feel your mom is coping. For me it just seemed daft to let Betty lose so much weight .

[RichmondHens]

I usually let mine come off of their own accord, unless I feel one has been sitting for too long without a break, and I'm worried she might soil the eggs (some do, some don't).

As Nicos says, it's entirely up to you. This is also the one time when it's ok to feed plenty of grain as it heats them up and keeps their systems fuller for longer. Also firms up the poo too.

By the way, if you've not had a broody before, just look out for those enormous poos, they really are something!!

[kirsty b]

So is the smell!!! Eeeeeuuuuuwwww, its ripe

[Emmylou]

Thanks for that! Yes, I've experienced the wopper poos!!!
I settled her into a broody area on Thursday, have lifted her off yesterday and today, and she has gone back on. I'm putting the eggs under tonight, so fingers crossed! I'll see how things go. I've a feeling she won't come off unless I lift her off.
Thanks!

[woody2k4]

Oh my god! the big poos! and the smell! in the summer one of my light sussex did them! They must hold on to them for ages!

[Emmylou]

I think then, its a case of "know your hen"!
I think I'm going to lift her once a day as I don't think she will get off otherwise! She is a stuborn thing. Just hope we get some Easter chicks!