She leaves the nest 2-3 times a day for 3 reasons, eat, drink, and to get moisture on her body the continue the humid environment in the nest.
She gets off the nest to eat, drink, and get wet, in order to provide humidity in the nest.
you can either feed them everyday with the dried food (pellet) and of course with the supply of water... the hen surely will leave the nest for few minutes to get some food but they will get back to their nest and continue sitting on it.. some hens might do not leave their nest for one day and will only leave if they are hungry..
A broody hen is sometimes hard to persuade to leave her nest. You need to remove all eggs she collects and move her away from the nest. Deny her access to that nest for more than a few hours and she often will go about her normal daily activities. You may have to repeat this daily for a few days.
8-24 inches I am told . Higher nest = easier to collect eggs. Mine are 8" up from floor of coop; but I have outside access through a hinged lid which is about 3 feet high ( I'm 6'2)
To stop hens from setting (sitting on eggs to hatch them), you can remove the eggs from the nest as soon as they are laid. You can also provide distractions by giving them new things to explore or changing their environment to deter them from wanting to sit. Additionally, you can try limiting their access to secluded nesting areas.
Hens must have a place where they can get in from inclement weather. They need nest boxes or straw to make nests. They must also have adequate food and water.
When hens are broody they are not 'themselves'. Try taking her off the nest and putting her in a cage, somewhere she is isolated from the other hens and also where there is no nesting box. That always works well for my hens.
No, they will lay anywhere if there is no other choice - the eggs have to come out.
Hens typically prefer to have their own nest to lay eggs in, as sharing a nest can lead to competition and aggression. Providing each hen with its own nest box can help reduce stress and ensure that each hen has a safe and comfortable place to lay eggs.
She's brooding
Yes. A broody hen will not defecate in its own nest. They also still require food and water. The broody hen will not leave the nest for very long or very far and certainly not when anyone is around. Her mission is to protect the eggs in the clutch and everything is a predator including you when you check on her. It just appears than she never leaves.
it could be that your hen is getting old and or is sick keep an eye on it and if she or he gets worse take to the vet. Another Possibility Hens like to lay in certain nests. If you have a small flock chances are they all lay eggs in the same nest. With the now broody hen occupying the nest and possibly being aggressive toward the other hens, they will need a new "favourite" nest to go to.