What should I check if my broody hen seems constipated or is not passing droppings?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

If your broody hen seems constipated or isn’t passing droppings, the first thing to know is that broody hens often go longer between droppings because they spend so much time sitting. That said, you should still check that she’s bright, drinking, eating a little, and passing droppings at some point each day. A blocked vent, dehydration, poor appetite, or another health issue can sometimes be involved.

Things To Check

1. Check whether she has actually passed droppings in the last 12 to 24 hours, rather than assuming she hasn’t because she’s sat tight on the nest.

2. Look at the droppings she does pass for unusual colour, blood, very dry pellets, mucus, or a sudden change in amount.

3. Check the vent area for stuck faeces, swelling, redness, soreness, a bad smell, or any discharge.

4. Make sure she’s still drinking and taking some food, even if only a little at a time.

5. Feel whether her crop is emptying normally by morning and whether it seems unusually hard, tight or bloated.

6. Check if she’s quiet and settled as expected for a broody hen, or if she seems weak, fluffed up, restless, strained or uncomfortable.

7. Look at her nest area and bedding to make sure it’s clean, dry and not caked with droppings that could make the problem seem worse.

Common Causes

The most common reason is simply that a broody hen holds on to droppings for longer while sitting on the nest. Dehydration can also make droppings smaller and drier than usual.

Sometimes the issue is a dirty or irritated vent, a heavy worm burden, reduced food intake, or stress. Less commonly, a more serious internal problem may be affecting the gut, especially if she’s unwell in other ways.

What To Do

Keep a calm eye on her for a short period and note whether she eventually leaves the nest to drink, eat and pass droppings. Offer fresh water nearby and make sure she can reach it easily.

Check the vent area gently and clean away any stuck faeces with warm water if needed, then dry her carefully. Keep bedding clean and dry, and avoid unnecessary disturbance if she otherwise seems well.

If she is eating, drinking and behaving like a normal broody hen, a short delay between droppings may be normal. If she looks unwell, is straining, stops eating or drinking, or you’re worried about a blockage, get veterinary advice.

Products That May Help

A clean, well-managed coop and run can be helpful as part of keeping a broody hen comfortable and making it easier to monitor droppings, bedding and general hygiene.

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