My Broody Hen's Nest Got Messy, Should I Clean Her or Leave Her Alone?

[FowlFolklore]

Hi,

I'm dealing with a messy situation with my broody hen. Two of the eggs in her nest broke either today or yesterday afternoon, and now her breast feathers are sticky and smelly.

I've moved her to a broody pen and changed the nest material, but I didn't clean the broken eggs off her feathers. She's not wet, but she's definitely not clean either.

Should I clean her feathers, legs, and bill? If so, is it okay to just use water, or should I use something else? The broken eggs were ones she had been brooding for about 5 days.

I've locked her in the broody box for the night, hoping she'll settle back on the new nest. I'm concerned that she might get sick from being dirty and not being outside in the fresh air. Any advice on what I should do next?

Thanks for any information or suggestions!

[GardenFowlGuru]

If shes just slightly dirty and isnt wet, its likely okay to leave her alone for now. Hens in broodiness are very sensitive and might not appreciate a bath. If you do choose to clean her, use a damp cloth and avoid getting her feathers too wet.

[HappyHatchery]

I would leave her be unless it's affecting her ability to sit on the eggs. Sometimes cleaning can cause more stress, so unless it's really necessary, it's best to let her stay undisturbed. If you do clean her, use a soft, damp cloth.

[FlockGuardian]

If the eggs broke, it could cause her to get more dirty, but if she's still brooding well, I wouldn't stress too much about the mess. Gently wipe her with warm water, and be mindful of her being sensitive to temperature changes, especially if it's cool at night.

[ChickWrangler]

If it's not too serious, I would recommend leaving her alone. Hens in broody mode are highly sensitive, and cleaning her too much could disturb her. If you do clean her, use a wet cloth, not water, and be gentle.

[EggcellentOne]

If the mess isn't too bad, I wouldn't worry too much. Sometimes it's better to leave them alone and let them focus on the eggs. If she continues to be messy, you can try cleaning her gently with a damp cloth. Avoid using soap, as it can irritate her skin.

[RoostRuler]

You can wipe her with a damp cloth, but I'd avoid fully soaking her feathers. The smell might go away once she returns to her normal broody routine. If the mess isn't too bad, it's probably best to leave her be.

[BantamBoss]

You could try wiping her down with a wet cloth to remove the sticky mess, but avoid using soap or other cleaning products. The stress of getting wet might make her abandon the eggs. Let her settle down for now, and if she's still dirty in the morning, clean her up gently.

[CluckWhisperer]

I'd wait to see how she reacts. If she's still being a good mom and sitting on the eggs, then I'd let her stay as she is. If she starts moving around more or if the smell is unbearable, a gentle wipe-down would be best.

[FarmsteadFowl]

I would use a damp cloth to gently clean her feathers, legs, and bill, but don't soak her completely. You don't want her to get chilled or stressed. If the mess is minor, she'll likely clean herself when she resumes brooding.