A broody in every nest box!

[HamletAndEggs]

Hi all! As a first time chicken keeper, I selected my chicks in spring with a mind toward temperament, appearance and egg size/color. I didn’t even know what a broody hen was, so I ignored that column in all the chicken selection charts! I have 10 beautiful, healthy girls but for the last week all for nest boxes have been full with broodies. Both yesterday and today I found eggs on the ground outside. Clearly the non-broody hens are feeling like there’s no room at the inn!! I don’t have a rooster and I’m not looking to get one, but I also don’t have a problem with hens just going through their natural cycle. I just didn’t imagine that all boxes would be full (4) and not have an empty nest box for those who were still laying. Should I put up a temporary nest box? Just let them work it out as is? Any advise is much appreciated!!

 

[sourland]

Can you place the broody hens in an area where they have no access to the nest boxes ? This will help break their broodiness and allow the others to lay in peace.

 

[BDutch]

Better stop the broodies. Most hens don't stop breeding after 3 weeks without helping them. And whats the point? A broody hen doesnt eat, drink and exercises to keep herself in a good shape.
IMO Its healtier to break her broodiness or buy fertile eggs if you want chicks.

Take the eggs out. Dont let them sleep in the nest boxes. You can find more tips in articles.

 

[BDutch]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-break-a-broody-hen.65588/

 

[aart]

but I also don’t have a problem with hens just going through their natural cycle.

Ehh.....not the healthiest choice.

If you don't want her to hatch out chicks, best to break her broodiness promptly.

My experience goes about like this: After her setting for 3 days and nights in the nest (or as soon as I know they are broody), I put her in a wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller wire on the bottom but no bedding, set up on a couple of 4x4's right in the coop or run with feed and water.

I used to let them out a couple times a day, but now just once a day in the evening(you don't have to) and she would go out into the run, drop a huge turd, race around running, take a vigorous dust bath then head back to the nest... at which point I put her back in the crate. Each time her outings would lengthen a bit, eating, drinking and scratching more and on the 3rd afternoon she stayed out of the nest and went to roost that evening...event over, back to normal tho she didn't lay for another week or two. Or take her out of crate daily very near roosting time(30-60 mins) if she goes to roost great, if she goes to nest put her back in crate.

Chunk of 2x4 for a 'roost' was added to crate floor after pic was taken.