nesting material

[xx_sheena_xx]

is it ok to put more nesting material
in with my hen when she has eggs?

[Fah]

Ideally no, nesting material really needs to be in before the eggs are even laid, as the hen can spend alot of effort kicking stuff out and moving it around so its just right.

Once the babies are around, it can either do nothing to the birds, or really put them out of joint (depends on the bird). Generally it should cause nothing more than to serve to annoy the hen, and not risk the young.

Unless the eggs/young are sitting on a flat / hard surface, there is really no need to worry about the nesting material. However if they are on like no nesting material, you will have to solve the problem as they will most likely end up with splayed legs.

[xx_sheena_xx]

they have nesting material but the
hen has kicked more out during the last week

[Fah]

So long as the eggs are not resting on the flat surface, you shouldnt worry too much, its when they are hatching on the hard flat surface that is like 90% of the cause for splayed legs (though it does happen from genetics/diet though more uncommonly).

Birds naturally kick stuff out of the nest, some more than others, some too much, so long as there is still a lining around 1cm thick and not sparse, its fine.

[xx_sheena_xx]

thanks for your help Fah