Looks like we've got a broody hen!

[susan]

Right now we have one nesting box outside the coop that they've been leaving their eggs in. Mike went to check today and Ruth had parked her little behind in that nest and said she's not leaving. Mike had a talk with her and told her there are no boys so it won't do any good to set on that egg.
I told him that we've really got to get busy and build the nesting box extension onto the back of the coop. That would give 2 nesting boxes and she'd already be inside the coop if that's where she wants to stay.

Susan

[susan]

Is it normal for a broody hen to leave the nest for food? I guess we'll watch and see if she heads back.

Susan

[Granny Smith]

My hens left several times a day to eat and drink. If I didn't want them to set, that's when I'd steal the eggs.

[Cyngbaeld]

If she doesn't get off at least once a day to eat, drink and relieve herself she will die. You can probably find some fertile eggs on CL to put under her.

[susan]

Well, apparently it was a false alarm. She's been up and out in the pen scratching and pecking. I think Mike might have caught her in the process of laying her egg.

Susan