How to let hens hatch/raise bitties

[elf]

Was looking at one of those cute pics. in the magazines of mama hens leading chicks and, being a novice, wondered: If one chooses to let a hen hatch/raise bitties, how does the hen get food and water if she's sitting on eggs? Once they hatch, how does one arrange for the hen to eat layer mash and the chicks to eat chick starter if they're together? Or do they both eat Flock Raiser or something?

 

[goldnchocolate]

I gave my hen her own food and water dishes. She ate chick starter right along with the chicks plus any treats that I would give to them such as banana or scrambled eggs. She doesn't need layer pellets for that short period of time.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

You just keep the food a water close by. She will get in if she wants it. I just put chick starter in a separate dish along with mom's food. The starter food won't hurt her, in fact she could use a little boost in protein after going so long without eating.

 

[elf]

So they eat very little when they're on the nest?

 

[CoyoteMagic]

She can eat whatever they eat. Just make sure she gets some oyster or egg shells for calcium. I give all my birds Purina Flock Raiser and don't have to worry feeding different ages different things

 

[BarkerChickens]

Hens will get up to eat and drink, but will go hours in between. One broody we had would get up for 15-20 minutes once or twice a day and just eat, drink and dirt bathe and go back to her nest. Another broody we had wouldn't get up for nothing. We put water and food near her, so she wouldn't have to leave the coop. They poop about once a day and it is HUGE and NASTY smelling.

Broody poop is horrendous! Other than that, they do it all!

 

[elf]

Sounds exciting! My chickens are somewhere around 9 mo. old and free-range. Should I be on the lookout for some to start hiding to brood soon? They usually lay their eggs in various hiding places (porch, carport, etc.) but I've always been able to track them mainly from the screaming of roosters when they lay. If they go broody does that mean they just sit down, lay eggs, and stay there? Can I pick them and their egg(s) up and transfer them into their pen for safety from dogs,etc.