Some hens are not good about leaving the nest while broody. They need to get off every couple of days to eat, drink and poo. If they don't they end up in a very sorry state, with very pale comb and wattle, they get very thin and very weak, and I have heard of hens dropping dead as a result.
If I can't get a broody to leave the nest I take food to her. I start with pellets, corn and water. If they won't touch that I give them chopped boiled egg. Sometimes they will only eat a couple of mouthfuls, I reason that anything is better than nothing and if food and drink is going in, then she will have to get off the nest to clear out at some point.
It's important to know the due date on the eggs. Some hens give up on eggs, but some will just keep on sitting - and if the eggs aren't going to hatch then hen is in trouble. If the eggs go two days over I candle and float test, if the eggs are not going to hatch I clear the nest. Sometimes the eggs hatch late if they've cooled too much at some point, so it's always worth checking.
If I can't get a broody to leave the nest I take food to her. I start with pellets, corn and water. If they won't touch that I give them chopped boiled egg. Sometimes they will only eat a couple of mouthfuls, I reason that anything is better than nothing and if food and drink is going in, then she will have to get off the nest to clear out at some point.
It's important to know the due date on the eggs. Some hens give up on eggs, but some will just keep on sitting - and if the eggs aren't going to hatch then hen is in trouble. If the eggs go two days over I candle and float test, if the eggs are not going to hatch I clear the nest. Sometimes the eggs hatch late if they've cooled too much at some point, so it's always worth checking.
