[bedifferent]

I have a broody light sussex that has been broody for about 2 weeks. During this time she will not get off the nest for food or water (it is only about 12 inches to go for each) I am not so worried about this as i can push her off once a day. When i do she does take a bit of food and water but not much. The real problem is that she leaks loose poo into the nest all the time which is really really REALLY smelly  :shock:  Her undercarrage is getting red so i have to bathe her bottom every couple of days to get the poo off. She must be so full of it because just picking her up stimulates it to leak out!! It is really difficult to tell if she is unwell or a die hard broody. She is very pale in the comb and when lifted off the nest and put on the floor she generally lays there for a while before either eating or drinking but more commonly just getting back on the nest.

Any advice anyone can offer with management??

[Vember]

Hi Bediff

What food is she eating?
I know layers isn't good for broodys as it goes through them too quickly.

I always keep my broodys on mixed corn only and their poo's are ok

[Bodger]

You must pick her off the nest at least every other day and keep her off for at least ten minutes until she's fed and watered and done what is a usually humungus sized poo.
If she's really pale, I'd spray her up with an insecticide just incase she's being feasted upon by red mite or some other species of creepy crawly.

Broodies, inavariably lose weight during the time they are broody because they have other things on their mind other than eating. Their combs will be paler than normal, quite simply because they are not laying during the time that they are sitting.

[kattcottrell]

Hiya Bedif

Can't be of any help to you as i'm new at all this but just wanted to say that i'm thinkin of you  as it must be very  worrying, but i'm interested to what the others say as i'm sure to encounter this myself one day.

[Vember]

Is it right about the layers Bodger???

Have always kept mine on mixed corn when broody, just intrested to know?
Thank u in advance

[babe]

mixed corn is the best thing for them when they are broody, they dont need layers as they are'nt laying.

the corn keeps them warm and gives them energy. make sure they have plenty of grit available too.

cat help with the poo,  :?

[Bodger]

Is it right about the layers Bodger???

Have always kept mine on mixed corn when broody, just intrested to know?
Thank u in advance

Almost certainly yes. You would also be feeding them with levels of protein that they wouldn't need or be using.

[Foxy]

Take her off the nest she needs to poo by the sound of it. The eggs will be OK for 20mins or so.
I give mine 50:50 mixed corn layers mash.