4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[rosalyndavies]

Is it normal for a broody hen to lose all their chest feathers? We have 2 hens with this at the moment. What is the best to do with them? Shall I put them in another hen house so they are not hogging the nesting box as our egg production is quite down today? We also had the wet insige to tray which is baffling?

[Hangman]

Is it normal for a broody hen to lose all their chest feathers? We have 2 hens with this at the moment. What is the best to do with them? Shall I put them in another hen house so they are not hogging the nesting box as our egg production is quite down today? We also had the wet insige to tray which is baffling?

 

It has been known for this to happen simply because it allows for a more efficiant heat transfer between the hen and the egg.

[southernchicken]

I read on here somewhere, that broodies sometimes pluck their own feathers out to line the nest with.

[Hangman]

I read on here somewhere, that broodies sometimes pluck their own feathers out to line the nest with.

 

They won't pluck them out specifically to use as nesting material, but there's no point plucking them and not doing something with them, if that makes sense.

[Phosphorus]

yep they pluck them out - lets them have direct contact with the eggs and therefore keeps them warmer If I were to lift my girl off her eggs now I could guarantee she would have a bare patch

[kitchens]

Aren't they gorge when they are broody. All lovely and snuggly warm. I've got two pekins brooding together (on thin air mind as I'm not hatching this year)