dumb question about a broody hen

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OrpingtonManor

OrpingtonManor

Building the Castle
11 Years
Nov 15, 2008
2,890
18
201
Martinez, CA
Okay, so my youngest (7 mo) BO pullet, Tatertot, is now broody. She has been on the nest for 2 days. I took the eggs out from under her last night. She growled and fluffed a little, but didn't bother me. She's a total sweetie.

The question is this, is she done laying this "clutch" or will she continue to lay while she sits there? Should I keep feeling under her for eggs? How long will she stay broody? Does she leave the nest for food and water when I am not looking? (Sorry, I have never done this before.)

Should I be trying to stop her? Will this make her lose weight? I hate to see her work so hard for nothing. There is no roo.

Is there anything special I should be doing for her?

Thanks. I'm so glad I have you guys to ask these questions.
 
If you keep taking them she will get the point. She is getting up and getting a drink and something to eat real quick like so she won't be in any danger, just don't leave them under her to long and encourage her. Good luck and have a blessed day.
 
Sure thing, its only there to show her she is supposed to lay in the nest and she seems to have that down. Anything under her now will only make her want to stay there and hatch it out.
 
If you don't want her to be broody, I'd remove the plastic egg too.

Our Silkies seemed to stay broody and would happily hatch the golf ball in the nest box if it could be done.
gig.gif


When I "break our broodies", I put them in a cage that has a wire bottomed floor so that the cool air can hit their bottoms (don't add any hay or pine shavings to the cage or they'll use it for nesting).

Here's a pic of the hutch that I use to break the broodies in, which we call "chicken jail":

PA244363.jpg


I leave the girls in "jail" for several days to a week, depending on how quickly they get over being broody.


Hope this helps!

Dawn
 
From my experience with my frenquently broody hen, after you break them of being broody, they take about 3 weeks to lay again. Mine doesn't lay when she's broody. To break them, you have to take them off the nest during the day.

The answer to your recent question is pretty much a Yes!
 
Last edited:
or, leave her on some golf balls for a couple of weeks, buy some chicks at the feed store and let her raise them.
 

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