How to Break a Broody Hen

Upthread it said it lasts about 3 weeks. That seems pretty brief. Just wondering.
Incubation takes 3 weeks. The problem with a broody hen sitting on infertile eggs, fake eggs or just shavings is that she likely won't get off until they start to develop which of course they never will.

My understanding of the normal flow is for a hen to sit 3 days so the eggs have constant temp until she determines they are developing (how she knows I have no idea). After that she will get off the nest daily to eat, drink, poop, preen. About 3 days before the chicks are to hatch she will lock down on the nest until they hatch. That is how I treated the broody I was holding for the chicks that came 3 weeks ago. I took her off the nest morning and afternoon for treat and food time with the rest of the flock. She would stay out MAYBE 15 minutes then go back to her nest. I didn't take her out the day the chicks arrived and I put them under her the next night. Now she is happily raising the 6 chicks she "hatched" from 3 fake eggs.

Not real healthy to sit on a nest for 3 weeks and not eat or drink. In fact they wouldn't live that long. I let one go, with daily tossing off the nest, for 5 weeks. She still didn't break and ended up in the buster. Now I stick them in there as soon as they go broody because like you I have no rooster.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom