penelope Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Hi There Following on from my "shall I shant I let our broodie sit on eggs"..............We decided we did want to add in the bantams which we did not hatch the first time around. She has been broodie & sitting on an eggless nest for 2weeks & we encouraged her out for a walk & an eat & drink daily. We put 4 eggs under her last night. Should we still lift her off daily as she just won't eat or drink or move unless we do,( very good mummy!) The eggs are due to hatch in about a week so presumably we should stop moving her in the last 3 days? Thanks for the advice guys Penelope.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 I lift mine off once a day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penelope Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 Thanks very much, Thats what we have been doing & I just wanted to make sure it was right. Do you stop 3 days before or just keep doing it till they have hatched? X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 i used to be very sceptical about lifting but i'm not now; i think it depends on the broody. We've got two sitting and one was lifted daily, would eat, drink, scratch, poo and hop back onto her eggs. She only once did a broody poo in the box and got off the eggs to do it, luckily. The other broody we've tried lifting off on a daily basis but she refuses to do any of the above and just goes beserk, screaming hysterically and running around in circles until we put her back in the broody box. We've moved her into a bigger box (dog crate) have provided her with food and water, have tried to hand feed her and even try taking her off again but she is having none of it. I'm just grateful that her energy use is well down because i don't know what or how she's keeping going with at the moment. Luckily the chicks should hatch on Saturday - then the girl should be able to eat at least! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penelope Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Hi There I'm sorry but you really made my daughter & I laugh this morning at the vision of a chicken running round in circles screaching!.........poor thing. Our girl seems very happy to briefly snap out of her trance when she is lifted off. She has a good dust bath & eats & drinks & boy does she poop then goes back into her cage with the eggs. She is in the wir with the others but in an indoor rabbit cage to stop her nearly 10pound friend squashing anything with her huge feet! All seems to be ok at the mo, cant wait to hear peeping again if its a sucess. Good luck with yours soon. Penelope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 I moved my broodies twice, once in the morning then in the evening. I had to shut the door on the Eglu to stop her going in. My son did this when I was poorly and forgot to open it, it was two hours later when I came down for tablets that I noticed, she was going mad poor girl. However all the eggs hatched! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliidale8 Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 In the past I have lifted one of my broody hens off the nest to try and get her to eat/drink. She never complained, I expected her to peck me and tell me to get lost! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penelope Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Thanks for the reassurance guys. I thought we had had an escaped elephant in the garden this morning after the size of the poop she did!! Thanks & i'll let you know what or if she hatches. X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 I've got 2 broodies at them moment one with 5/6 week old chicks she got off the nest every day no problem screamed and swore at me when I open the coop lid to check her the other is on day 10 and is the complete oppersite I have to lift her off just about eats and drinks every time but only poos every other day you can emagine what that smells like.most times when I check on her she's fast a sleep and hardly ever makes a sound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
