Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[jeshen]

My buff pekin, Golda, has been broody in a big way for about a week. I've tried dunking and sin-bin for a few days, but it's made no difference. I've now given in. Yesterday I got hold of 4 fertile eggs for her to sit on and hatch. I'm feeling totally green about this and am hoping I've done the right thing. I've put her in a separate broody hutch, where she has settled ecstatically on the clutch of eggs. My other 3 pekins (one of whom is also broody!) can all see her, but aren't bothering her. She has a supply of food and water just outside her hutch. This morning she appears to be in a trance-like state sitting on the eggs and as far as I can tell, hasn't budged since I put her in last night. I'm just concerned that she's not made any attempt to eat or drink. Should I force her to leave the hutch (would this make her reject

the eggs), should I try to give her food while she's sitting on the nest, or should I leave well alone? Would be very grateful for advice.......

[Redwing]

You could soak some corn in water and place this in front of her

 

However soiling the nest is also a risk if she isn't budging. I lift my broodies off once a day and move them to the food where they eat, drink and poo quickly before heading back to the eggs (if she isn't used to the copp you may have to put her back yourself) sometimes they will get up and walk to the food themselves

 

If she is reluctant to sit when she goes back shut her in the dark and she should settle down

 

When lifting a broody put your hands under her wings to check for eggs as sometimes they tuck them there and when you lift them the egg falls out

 

Lastly do not underestimate the broody poo, it is large, sloppy, dark and smells worse than you could ever imagine - it's often projectile so stand well back

[jeshen]

Thanks, Redwing. I did as you suggested and lifted her out next to the food. She looked dazed at first, then decided to have a bite to eat, then suddenly snapped out of her trance and tore out at great speed into the garden where she joined all her friends and appeared to have forgotten all about the eggs! After about 10 mins, I lured all 4 of the chickens back into the run and it also started to rain a bit so they all climbed into the eglu, from where I was able to grab Golda. I put her back on the eggs and shut her in for half an hour. She's now back in the trance-like state. It's her first time at being a mother, so I'm hoping she'll realise that she shouldn't just run off and leave them... Thanks for your help!

[kittyl]

I have to lift my little Brahma, Spotty, off every morning, once she's straightened up & eaten something

she likes to peck about on the grass & have a quick dust bath. Its usually 10 to 20 mins before she goes

back in, but I always hang around to protect her from the others. We're half way now & she's always gone

back when she's done.

[jeshen]

Thanks kittyl. I managed to get Golda to go back in the hutch on her own this morning, by laying a small trail of corn! Hopefully tomorrow she'll do it of her own accord! Hope you get lots of fluffy chicks in a week or so!!