Chicken bald back

[Choo-chook]

Bess is currently sitting on some fertile eggs, what am I supposed to be feeding her? I'm making sure she comes off to eat/drink/poop but realised she prob shouldn't be getting layers pellets. Gave her some porridge yesterday with mixed corn/seeds, but she's not eating as much as I hoped as she's so desperate to get back to the eggs. Today has just been corn and seeds. She's not that bothered for dried mealworms at the moment.

Was taking her off 3 times a day but I've been told once a day is fine? She's only been sitting on the eggs since fri, although broody for a week before. Now that she's got eggs under her I'm all up to 99!

Been through the forums but all I can see about feeding is to introduce chick crumbs a few day before they hatch, any advice much appreciated

Thanks

[Beantree]

You should be feeding her rearer pellets, or layers pellets if you haven't any, or just making sure she eats something. She should be on a normal diet. She will be losing weight daily anyway, regardless of what you feed her. Change to chick crumb when the first hatches and mum will eat that as well. The chicks won't eat for a day anyway. Remember the drinker for the chicks must be very shallow to avoid drowning. Mum's should be out of reach. I would advise crumb with ACS if they are outside.

[Choo-chook]

Thanks for the advice beantree, I've got layer pellets/corn/grit and water available in her run but I don't know if she's touching it. I think i might keep taking her off 3 times a day for peace of mind then at least I know she's having something. Thanks again

[miller30]

I feed all my broody s chickcrumb as soon as they are sitting on eggs straight through until babies are about 8 weeks old leanne

[sjp]

mine get layers pellets or mixed corn for the first couple of weeks then they go onto which ever chick ration I'm going to use