Emily Carter
Broody hens are determined to hatch their chicks and will only get off their nests 1-2 times a day to eat, drink, and defecate. They even pluck their own feathers to build their nests. While this is a natural process, it can be dangerous for the hen's health as they lose weight and stop laying eggs. If you are not planning to let your hen hatch her chicks, you will need to take steps to break her broodiness. However, if you are happy to let your hen hatch her chicks, you can either set up a broody pen where she will have privacy or let her stay with the flock. During the three-week incubation period, make sure the mother hen has access to nutritious food and fresh water. After the chicks have hatched, you will need to make some changes to the brooding pen to accommodate the baby chicks, such as switching to chick starter feed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brooding location | Choose between letting the hen stay with the flock or moving her to a broody pen |
| Brooding duration | Broody hens should not brood for long durations or several times a year as it takes a physical toll on them |
| Diet | Provide the hen with nutritious food and fresh water. Switch to chick starter feed for extra protein |
| Nest | Avoid putting fresh herbs in the nest as they can decay and cause bacterial growth. Use dried herbs instead |
| Eggs | Remove any unhatched eggs and broken eggshells after the mother hen leaves the nest |
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What You'll Learn
Provide nutritious food and fresh water
Providing nutritious food and fresh water is essential for the health of a broody hen and her chicks. Broody hens consume 80% less feed than usual and stop laying eggs while setting, so it's important to switch them to chick starter feed, which is higher in protein and lower in calcium. This feed will also provide the chicks with the nutrition they need to grow. Scratch can also be offered to the broody hen as the high carbohydrate content will provide extra calories.
The feeder and water in the brooding pen should be low enough to the ground so that the chicks can reach the food and water. They should be fastened securely to prevent the mother hen from knocking them over. Keep the food and water close to the nest to ensure that the hen avails herself of at least one meal a day.
Clean, fresh water is essential for keeping the hen hydrated, and it should be refreshed daily. Adding probiotics or electrolytes to the water periodically can be beneficial. The water should be kept close to the nest, and it should always be available to prevent dehydration, which can be fatal.
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Set up a broody pen
Setting up a broody pen is a great way to accommodate a mother hen and her chicks. Here are some detailed steps to help you get started:
Choose the Right Location
Select an area that can be partitioned off from the rest of the flock. This could be a quiet, dark corner of your yard or a separate pen within the chicken coop. Ensure that the chosen space is large enough to accommodate the broody pen, which should ideally be approximately 3 feet by 4 feet in size.
Construct the Broody Pen
The broody pen should provide adequate space for a nesting area and allow the hen to stretch her legs and move around freely. You can use various materials to build the pen, such as wooden shipping crates, wood pallets, or even repurpose an old dog house. Make sure the pen has a latchable door for easy access and a small chicken wire area to contain the chicks while allowing the hen to move in and out freely.
Nesting Area
Within the broody pen, create a comfortable and dry nesting spot for the hen and her chicks. You can provide a brooding box within the pen, or simply fill it with suitable litter, allowing the hen to make her own nest in a corner. It is important to regularly check the nesting area for any signs of predators and ensure that it remains protected from the weather.
Food and Water
Provide a source of food and water for the broody hen within the broody pen. Place the food and water away from the nesting spot to encourage the hen to leave the nest regularly for her daily activities. Make sure the food and water containers are stable, and clean them regularly to maintain hygiene.
Additional Considerations
To enhance the setup, consider providing access to the outdoors and a dust bathing spot for the hen. Additionally, ensure that the broody pen is secure and predator-proof. Regularly monitor the nesting area for any vulnerabilities or signs of potential predators.
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Clean the brooding pen
To clean the brooding pen, it is important to maintain a clean environment throughout the incubation process. The brooding pen should be easy to clean and kept in tip-top shape for when the mother hen takes her chicks out for the first time. The nesting area, food and water area, and relieving area should be on the same level so that the chicks can easily access them. The brooding pen should be cleaned regularly, both throughout the incubation period and after the chicks have hatched.
The brooding pen should be located in a safe, quiet, and comfortable space, separate from other chickens, to provide a peaceful environment for the mother hen and her future chicks. It should be protected from weather elements and other environmental factors, with good airflow to ensure the health and safety of the hens and chicks.
It is essential to keep the food and water areas clean and free of droppings. The feeder and waterer should be securely fastened to prevent the mother hen from knocking them over. The food and water sources should be lowered to the floor so that the baby chicks can easily access them. Clean, fresh water should always be available, and probiotics or electrolytes can be added to the water periodically.
In addition to cleaning the brooding pen, it is important to monitor the mother hen and eggs during the incubation process. Ensure that the hen has access to food and water and keep an eye on the food and water levels to ensure she is eating and drinking periodically. Any eggs that don't hatch can be removed from the brooding pen, and the mother hen may need encouragement to return to her nest if the hatching takes too long.
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Switch to chick starter feed
When a hen is broody, it is committing to the incubation process and will take care of the eggs. During this time, it is important to provide the hen with fresh water and plenty of food. Typically, broody hens are fed regular layer feed. However, switching to chick starter feed early on is beneficial as it provides extra protein throughout the incubation process. This is particularly important as the hen will be losing weight and consuming less food than usual.
Chick starter feed is also suitable for the mother hen to consume, so it can be used to feed both her and her chicks. This feed can be given to the hen even before the chicks have hatched, as it provides the necessary nutrition for the developing eggs.
After the chicks have hatched, the mother hen will naturally take care of ensuring they eat and drink. The chick starter feed can continue to be provided to both the hen and her chicks for up to around eight weeks. This feed is designed to meet the nutritional needs of growing chicks, who require ample protein to develop their feathers and muscles.
Some sources recommend feeding medicated chick starter feed, especially if the chicks are unvaccinated, to prevent diseases such as coccidiosis. However, non-medicated organic feed is also an option, and it tends to be more cost-effective and preferable in taste and smell. Ultimately, the choice of feed depends on the specific needs and preferences of the flock.
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Remove unhatched eggs
When it comes to removing unhatched eggs from a broody hen, there are several important considerations and steps to take. Firstly, it is recommended to set up a broody pen or a "maternity ward" to provide privacy and facilitate easier monitoring of the hen and her brood. This helps prevent issues such as other hens interfering with the eggs or stealing the chicks.
Once the chicks have hatched, you should wait until the mother hen leaves her nest with the newly hatched chicks for the first time. At this point, you can inspect any remaining eggs to determine if they are still viable. Look for pips or use a technique called "candling," which involves shining a light through the eggshell to check for embryo development. Any eggs that appear to be still developing can be left in the nest for another 24 hours.
If there are no signs of development, remove the unhatched eggs when the mother hen leaves the nest again. Be careful not to disturb the nest too much during this process. Additionally, remove any broken eggshells from the nesting location to maintain a clean environment.
It is important to note that a broody hen typically leaves the nest at regular intervals to eat, drink, and defecate. This is a good opportunity to check the nest for any soiled bedding or broken eggs and to ensure the hen is consuming enough food and water. If the hen does not leave the nest for an extended period, particularly during the last three days of the 21-day setting period, you may need to physically remove her to ensure she meets her basic needs.
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Frequently asked questions
You can either let the hen set up her nest with the flock or move her to a broody pen. The latter is recommended for first-time broody caretakers as it allows for more privacy and supervision. Make sure the mother hen has fresh water and plenty of food, such as chick starter feed, which is rich in protein.
Once the chicks have hatched, the mother hen will take care of them. You should ensure she has the resources to properly care for her brood. Clean the nest, remove any broken eggshells, and check for any unhatched eggs.
Broodiness is instinctual behaviour that is more common in warmer months. Signs of broodiness include the presence of a ''broody patch' on the hen's breast, where she has plucked out her own feathers to line the nest. Some hens will brood several times a year, and this should be discouraged due to the physical toll it takes on the hen.
