rosalyndavies Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hangman Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southernchicken Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 I read on here somewhere, that broodies sometimes pluck their own feathers out to line the nest with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hangman Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchens Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 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) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
