4 broody hens all at once

[amyweiand]

I have 4 broody hens all at once. Does anyone have any suggestions how to deal with them? I have 2 sitting on eggs but 2 more have gone broody within the last 2 days. Do I let them set on eggs too; or is that too many hens to have broody at one time? I do have an outlet for them when they do hatch.

 

[Pork Pie]

I'd suggest looking through the threads on this search https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=multiple+broodies
and they should help you decide on what to do. Personally, I think that it may a bit much to have so many hens sitting at the same time in terms of management.

All the best
CT

 

[amyweiand]

I don't really want all 4 hens sitting, so I'm going to keep taking the eggs from the 2 I don't want to sit. Maybe they will get tired of sitting.

 

[Pork Pie]

Broodiness can be broken - heres a search for threads you may wish to read https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=broody+buster. A relatively standard practice is to place the broody hen in a small wire crate, suspended above the ground (slightly - you don't need to hang it from the rafters

) with food and water. The wire base and flow of air under the hen helps to cool her down helps break the broodiness.


You may need to separate each momma and chicks, since it can (not necessarily) lead to chicks being killed. I'd make sure that you have the separate areas built before the chicks hatch.

CT

 

[amyweiand]

So, now I have 5 hens that want to be broody!! They are sitting on eggs together....

 

[Pork Pie]

So, now I have 5 hens that want to be broody!! They are sitting on eggs together....

Are you the lucky one?

The earlier you break broodiness, the easier it is so you may want to get started ASAP. Good luck