7 Best Treats For Broody Hens That Your Grandparents Used to Know

A broody hen is a marvel of nature, but she is also a bird on a self-imposed hunger strike that can compromise her health. Watching a hen waste away while she waits for her chicks to hatch is a common concern for any poultry keeper. These time-tested treats focus on high-density nutrition to keep her strong and hydrated during her three-week vigil.

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Understanding Traditional Nutrition for Broody Hens

Broody hens rarely eat, often leaving the nest only once a day for a quick dust bath and a few pecked seeds. This self-imposed fasting means every bite they take must be packed with caloric value and essential nutrients. If she loses too much body mass, she may abandon the nest or become too weak to care for her chicks once they arrive.

Traditional wisdom focuses on "staying power"—foods that provide slow-release energy rather than a quick sugar spike. It is about high-fat and high-protein options that sustain her metabolic needs during long periods of inactivity. While modern pellets are designed for high-production layers, a broody hen has different requirements because she isn’t producing eggs; she is maintaining a constant body temperature.

Balancing her immediate energy needs with easy-to-digest fats is the primary goal. You want to offer foods that are familiar but enhanced, ensuring she doesn’t have to work hard to process the nutrients. This approach respects the bird’s natural rhythm while providing a safety net against the physical toll of incubation.

Serving Scrambled Eggs for High Protein Energy

It might seem counterintuitive to feed a hen eggs, but it is one of the most bioavailable protein sources available on the farm. Scrambling them makes the protein easy to digest without the risk of teaching the hen to eat her own raw eggs. This was a staple "recovery food" used by older generations to bolster weak birds.

A single egg can provide a massive boost to a hen who has lost significant breast muscle mass. You can mix in a little bit of nutritional yeast or crushed shells to add even more value to the meal. The goal is a dense, soft texture that she can consume in a matter of seconds before returning to her clutch.

Keep the portion small so she finishes it quickly. You do not want a plate of cold eggs attracting flies or predators near the nesting box. If she doesn’t eat it within ten minutes, remove it to maintain a clean environment for the developing embryos.

Soaking Rolled Oats in Warm Water for Hydration

Hydration is often the biggest hurdle for a bird that refuses to leave her eggs for more than a few minutes. Soaking rolled oats in warm water creates a soft mash that delivers both moisture and carbohydrates in one go. This is particularly useful in early spring or late fall when the air is dry and the hen needs to maintain her internal "furnace."

Rolled oats are gentler on the digestive tract than whole corn or hard grains. When they are served warm, they also help the hen maintain her body temperature without burning through her fat stores to stay warm. It’s a comforting, easy-to-eat meal that mimics the natural mashes of the past.

• Avoid using instant oatmeal packets filled with sugar.
• Ensure the water is warm, not hot, to prevent burning her sensitive crop.
• Keep the consistency thick, like a porridge, so it doesn’t create a mess in the nest.

Using Black Oil Sunflower Seeds for Essential Fats

Black oil sunflower seeds (BOSS) are the "superfood" of the poultry world due to their high oil content. These fats are essential for a hen who is essentially living off her own body reserves for 21 days. The high calorie-to-weight ratio makes them an ideal snack for a bird with a suppressed appetite.

The shells on BOSS are thinner and easier to crack than striped sunflower seeds. This means the hen spends less energy processing the food and more time absorbing the calories. They are also packed with Vitamin E, which supports the immune system during this high-stress period.

While BOSS is excellent, it should be fed in moderation. Too many seeds can lead to an imbalance in the diet, as they lack the full spectrum of minerals found in balanced feed. Think of them as a high-octane supplement rather than a total meal replacement.

Feeding Dried Mealworms to Maintain Body Condition

Mealworms are often called "chicken candy," but they serve a vital purpose for a broody bird. They are incredibly dense in protein, which helps prevent the muscle wasting that often occurs during the incubation period. For a hen who has stopped foraging, these provide the insect-based protein she would normally find in the yard.

While you can buy these in bulk today, the traditional equivalent was simply turning over a few logs or checking the grain bin for larvae. They provide a quick hit of energy that encourages the hen to take that vital daily break from the nest. The crunch also provides a bit of mental stimulation for a bird that has been sitting in the dark for days.

Be careful not to overfeed them, especially if the hen isn’t drinking enough water. Too much protein without adequate hydration can put a strain on the kidneys. A small handful once a day is more than enough to keep her condition stable.

Foraging Fresh Dandelion Greens for Vitamin Intake

The "weeds" in your pasture are often the best medicine for a stationary hen. Dandelion greens are packed with Vitamins A, C, and K, providing a much-needed boost to her immune system. These greens also act as a mild diuretic, helping to flush out toxins that build up when a bird isn’t moving her bowels regularly.

Chop the greens finely so she can eat them quickly and get back to her eggs. This prevents her from having to "fight" with long, stringy stems that could potentially cause a crop impaction. If the ground is frozen, any dark leafy green like kale or spinach will serve a similar purpose.

The goal is to provide the phytonutrients she misses out on by not foraging. Fresh greens also provide a small amount of additional moisture. It is a simple, free way to ensure she doesn’t become vitamin-deficient during her long sit.

Fermenting Grains to Support Improved Gut Health

Fermenting your standard scratch or layer feed for 24 to 48 hours unlocks nutrients that are otherwise dormant. The process creates natural probiotics that are crucial for maintaining gut health during a period of low activity. This was a common practice on older farms where "sour mash" was used to keep livestock healthy.

A broody hen’s digestive system slows down significantly while she sits. Fermented grains are essentially "pre-digested," making it much easier for her body to extract every possible calorie with minimal effort. This efficiency is key when the bird is only eating a fraction of her usual intake.

This method also significantly increases the water content of the feed. It’s a simple way to ensure she stays hydrated even if she only takes a few sips from the waterer. Just be sure to discard any fermented feed that smells "off" or shows signs of mold.

Offering Plain Yogurt to Provide Necessary Calcium

Yogurt is an excellent source of calcium and protein, but its real value lies in the active cultures. These beneficial bacteria help keep the hen’s digestive tract balanced while she sits in a warm, static environment. It is a soft, cooling treat that most hens find highly palatable even when they aren’t feeling particularly hungry.

Calcium is vital because the hen has just spent a significant amount of her own bodily stores to create the clutch she is sitting on. Replenishing those levels helps prevent general weakness or "brittle bone" issues after the chicks hatch. A few tablespoons of yogurt can make a world of difference in her recovery time.

Always use plain, unsweetened yogurt for your birds. Chickens cannot process large amounts of sugar, and flavored varieties can lead to upset stomachs or diarrhea. If she is hesitant to try it, sprinkle a few sunflower seeds on top to get her started.

Supporting a broody hen is about quality over quantity and ensuring every peck counts. By using these traditional, nutrient-dense treats, you ensure she emerges from the nest with the strength needed to raise her new brood. A little extra care now leads to a healthier mother and a more successful hatch in the end.