ALL my hens are going broody, ACK! What to do...

[IggiMom]

Ok, guys, does anyone know a good way to break them up? I have been taking them off the nests every time I go out there, and carefully explaining to them that I will take care of raising chicks, I want THEM to lay eggs.

They pay me no mind.

I pick them up and they growl, buuuuck, buuuuuuuuck, uuuuck. They walk around for a few minutes all doozy like, and then think, oh, yeah, and get back onto the nest.

In addition to wanting the eggs, I NEED those nest boxes for the ones who ARE laying. I don't have enough nest boxes for them to sit around in them all day.

Any suggestions appreciated.

I do have one sweet little Silkie that I put into a great place to set, and she gets to raise some chicks. But I only have one place like that, not six or so.

I keep reading posts from people wanting to know how to get hens to go broody. Ha, wish I had that problem--how the heck do you KEEP them from going broody?

I even have one turkey hen who is setting a nest. However, she can do it--she isn't setting in the chicken coop. She has snuck into my husband's little shop and thinks she is hiding in there.

Catherine (IggiMom)

 

[MareeZoCool]

Everyone's gone broody?

My inexperienced guess would be to build some more nesting boxes, placed away from those choice nests. (Im NO PRO!)

 

[IggiMom]

Yes, I do need more nesting boxes. Sigh.

For all those who want to know how to GET their hens to go broody, I can tell you.

Buy a new and expensive incubator that holds a lot of eggs.

Catherine

 

[PlumTuckered]

When we want to break a Hen from broodiness, we put her in a wire dog crate with food, water and a baby aspirin in her water.
I've got 4 Broody hens on chicken and duck eggs right now.

Michelle

 

[IggiMom]

Quote:
Well, now, that is interesting. I will try it.

Thanks.

And I never heard of the baby ASA, BTW. I cannot imagine what that would have to do with it, but willing to try anything!

Catherine.

 

[okiehen]

Even if you get them broke up there not going to be laying eggs any way soon.
Wire cage with nothin but food and water with air under them. You can also put ice cubs under them a few times.
Chances are when you get them broke, they will start a early molt or go back to being broody. With no eggs in sight for 4 to 6 weeks.
I had 3 I tried to brake up last year and all 3 were no eggs for weeks.

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

Providing you have the room for it I would build an area that is only for your broody hens put them in there with some nest boxes then get some fake eggs (ceramic I feel looks better and feel better as well) to place in the nest after she lays her eggs sneak in at night take her eggs and replace with the fake ones. She get's to be broody and you get the eggs. I have an area in my coop I set aside for that very reason at this time they are still to young but soon they will be using it.

If you don't have the room just build some more nesting boxes but only put them in when they go broody that way the others can still lay and they can be broody.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quick! Send them to me! I'll be happy to "break" them for you.

 

[lilray]

Mine began to do that also. They stopped. I think it is just a change in temperature thing. Now only our duck is broody on all the chicken eggs.

 

[astecksouls]

What seems to work for me is sinking them in a bucket of water