Caring For A Broody Hen And Her Chicks

A broody hen is a hen that wants to sit on eggs and hatch them. The state of being broody is controlled by instinct, hormones, and lighting conditions. When a hen is broody, it will lay a clutch of eggs, then stop egg-laying and sit on them for about 21 days until they hatch. During this time, the hen will need extra care and support. It is important to ensure that the hen is consuming food at least once a day, as broody hens consume 80% less feed than usual, which puts them at risk of malnutrition. Fresh, cool water should also be made available at all times, as dehydration can be fatal.

Provide nutritious food and fresh water

Broody hens need extra care and attention while incubating eggs, as they will always put the health of their eggs before their own needs. It is important to ensure that your broody hen is consuming food at least once a day. Broody hens eat 80% less feed than usual, which puts them at risk of malnutrition. Keep food and water close to the nest to ensure that less adventurous broodies eat at least one meal a day.

Provide a private feeder and waterer close to the broody hen so she can access them without straying too far from her eggs. Keep an eye on the food and water levels so that you can tell if she is getting up to eat and drink periodically. Don't worry if she doesn't leave the nest for the first few days after being given her clutch of eggs – this is normal.

You can give your broody hen chick starter ration, as this is what the chicks will eat after they hatch. It is higher in protein and lower in calcium than layer feed, which works well for broodies since they are not laying eggs. You can also offer scratch to the broody hen, as the high carbohydrate content will provide extra calories during her three-week crash diet.

Fresh, cool water is critical to the health of a broody hen and should be made available at all times. A dehydrated hen can die very quickly.

Ensure broody hen consumes food at least once a day

It is important to ensure that the broody hen is eating and drinking enough to maintain her health. A dehydrated hen can quickly fall ill. Keep the feed and water near the nest so that she doesn't have to travel far to reach it. Broody hens will take short breaks to eat, drink, and relieve themselves. These breaks can be as short as 5 to 20 minutes every few days. Broody poop is a good indicator of whether a hen has been eating. If you don't see any, it may be necessary to physically remove the hen from the nest to ensure she gets the minimum daily intake of food and water.

To ensure the hen is eating at least once a day, you can offer her scratch, which has a high carbohydrate content and will provide extra calories. Keep the food and water close to the nest to ensure that less adventurous hens eat at least once a day.

You can also feed the mother hen and her chicks chick starter grower feed. The hen won't be laying eggs while she is raising her chicks, so the chick starter feed will provide her with all the nutrients she needs.

Keep food and water close to the nest

Broody hens eat up to 80% less than usual and stop laying eggs while nesting. It is critical to provide fresh, cool water to the broody hen at all times to keep her hydrated, despite her infrequent drinks. Keep the food and water close to the nest to ensure that less adventurous broodies avail themselves of at least one meal a day. The broody hen's food and water should be placed at floor level so that she can easily teach her chicks where to find them.

The broody box should have a secure food and water system, as mother hens can be very assertive with eating and drinking, and may knock over any food or water sources that are not securely fastened down. The food and water should be kept in a safe, well-lit location, and the broody hen should be kept on a natural night and day sleep/light pattern. The nesting side of the broody pen should be darker and more private, as mother hens instinctually look for darker locations to make their nests.

The feeder and waterer should be kept at one end of the enclosure, so that the broody hen does not have to work too hard to get to her meals, or she might not eat at all. Broody hens are easy prey for predators, so you'll want to keep her brooder somewhere safe and out of the sun and rain. You should check her food and water every day and refresh her water every day.

Monitor food and water levels

It is important to monitor food and water levels when caring for a broody hen and her chicks. Broody hens may not eat or drink as much as usual, but they still require food and water to stay healthy. Fresh, clean water should be available at all times, as dehydration can be dangerous for hens. Adding probiotics or electrolytes to the water can also be beneficial.

The broody hen's feeder and water should be placed at one end of the enclosure, ensuring easy access. The food and water must be secure and stable, preventing the hen from knocking them over. It is recommended to keep the feeder and waterer low to the ground so that the chicks can reach them once they hatch.

The broody hen can be fed regular layer feed or switched to chick starter feed, which provides extra protein during the incubation period. Scratch, or treats such as whole oats, sunflower seeds, or dried bugs, can also be offered to the hen. However, ensure that treats do not distract her from her nest.

It is normal for a broody hen to stay on her nest for extended periods, especially during the final days of the incubation process. Keep the food and water close to the nest to encourage the hen to eat and drink at least once a day. Monitoring the hen's droppings is also a way to ensure she is eating and staying healthy. If the hen is not leaving her nest, you may need to physically remove her and take her to the food and water to ensure she gets the minimum daily intake.

Provide a separate coop for mother hen and chicks

It is important to provide a separate coop for the mother hen and her chicks to ensure their safety and well-being. While some sources suggest that keeping the mother and chicks with the rest of the flock is acceptable as long as safety measures are followed, such as ensuring there is no deep water, others recommend separating them to better monitor their health and food intake.

Separating the mother hen and her chicks can help prevent any potential bullying or rejection issues within the flock. It allows the mother hen to focus solely on caring for her chicks without distractions or competition from other chickens. This isolation also reduces the risk of the chicks being pecked or blinded by more aggressive members of the flock.

The separate coop should be equipped with essential amenities such as nutritious food and fresh, cool water. The mother hen will instinctively know how to care for her chicks, regulating temperature and humidity and turning the eggs in the nest. However, it is crucial to ensure that food and water are always within easy reach, as the mother hen may not leave the nest frequently during the initial days of incubation.

Additionally, the coop should provide adequate space for the mother hen and her chicks to move around comfortably. It should be located in a safe area, protected from potential predators or other threats. Regular monitoring of the mother hen and her chicks is also advised, especially during the first few days after hatching, to ensure their well-being and address any potential issues promptly.

By providing a separate coop, you can create a peaceful and secure environment for the mother hen and her chicks, allowing them to bond and thrive without the stress and potential dangers of being in close quarters with the rest of the flock. This separation also enables you to observe their behaviour and intervene if necessary, fostering a healthier and more harmonious dynamic within your chicken coop.

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