Incubation Lockdown Question

[23kthistlethwaite]

So while reading through the threads on here I’ve heard the term “lockdown” being mentioned a lot. Now I have my eggs under a hen, not in an incubator, and was wondering if I should still take her off the nest to eat and drink after the 18 day mark. I’ve been taking her off once or twice a day since she has starting being broody because she has never shown signs of getting off the nest by herself (broody poops, less food in the bowl, etc.). How close to hatch day is it still ok to take her off?

 

[Aapomp831]

So while reading through the threads on here I’ve heard the term “lockdown” being mentioned a lot. Now I have my eggs under a hen, not in an incubator, and was wondering if I should still take her off the nest to eat and drink after the 18 day mark. I’ve been taking her off once or twice a day since she has starting being broody because she has never shown signs of getting off the nest by herself (broody poops, less food in the bowl, etc.). How close to hatch day is it still ok to take her off?

No, this doesn’t apply to broodies. All you have to do is let her do the work. Provide fresh water that is easy for chicks to access but not drown in, chick food (mama eats chick food also - the extra protein will do her good in recovering and she won’t need layer feed since she’s not currently laying), and shelter that’s predator proof and separate from the rest of your flock. When you have eggs in an incubator, lockdown refers to not opening the incubator to candle anymore as to not disrupt the humidity or temperature. But no worries when you have a broody - she knows what to do.