Another broody with no rooster...how to handle?

[alibabba]

A broody hen is a Godsend to some!
I don't want to incubate eggs, too much time and effort, when a broody does the job and 100% hatch. Easy breezy.

She'll keep doing it! Maybe trade her? Or next time, get a couple eggs and sell the chicks. You can even get ferilized eggs from the groc store that even refridgerated some will hatch. Have pulled some from my own fridge and hatched them!

I count on my broodies, doing the heavy lifting for me! I almost sold the last one (if you leave eggs, she will sit tight!) Thank goodness I didn't, first warm weather, she was clucking, second day she was sitting!!

 

[aart]

If the bottom is wire and she is off the ground won't that hurt her feet? The spaces between the bars on my crate on the bottom or 3 x 5".

Edited: never mind, I found a better chicken crate.

May be too late....but.....I put 1x2 wire on the bottom of wire crates.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/foldable-wire-dog-crates-a-good-tool-for-every-chickeneer

 

[Diva Chick Mom]

I had to laugh at the ice pack idea. It did not work for me with my broody hen. She sat on that thing til it was all melted and warm....

 

[craigayliffe]

I have this issue from time to time with my 4 Buff Orpington's. Orps are notoriously broody. This cures them in less than two days(something I learned from this website long ago.)
Gently remove the broody hen from the nest and place her in wire cage. Use something large enough not to cause discomfort. I use my dog transportation kennel (2' x2') It had a door that must be kept wired shut. Include water and feed dishes in the cage. Don't provide a roosting perch or any other comforts. Place the cage off the ground inside the coop run if there is room for predator safety in the night time. Be sure to place a brick or large heavy weight on top of the cage if necessary to keep the cage stabilized and from tipping over. The hen will try to get out and move around a lot. You can even drape a lightweight cloth over the top of the cage to provide some darkness. It will calm them down. You are trying to break them from nesting. It seems cruel but it is not. I promise you they will stop very quickly. Check the water and food daily as they may tip it over. This is the only thing that worked for me and it will work for you too. In less than two days time they forget about brooding and rejoin the rest of the flock as if nothing ever happened! Good luck!

 

[Diva Chick Mom]

Look. I kid you not. That green thing is not an egg. It's an ice pack. And she is happily sitting on it!!!!:/

 

[mobius]

Look. I kid you not. That green thing is not an egg. It's an ice pack. And she is happily sitting on it!!!!

Trying to make it warm, I bet! She believes in the "power of the hen" to defrost! Stick it back under her rear end (between her legs) if you can...

 

[GardenDmpls]

When my Partridge Penedescenca went broody for the second time, she was so determined looking that I ordered fertile eggs for her. The other chickens kept trying to lay in her nest and broke most of the eggs, but she managed to hatch out one chick. She was such a fierce protector that her little prince was spoiled rotten. He could take food from any hen with impunity, knowing they were so afraid of his velociraptor Mom that they wouldn't dare peck at him. Of course, as he got older, she backed off and he got his share of disciplinary pecks. He now lives the good life in the menagerie of my high school's vet. science program, so I can enjoy his crowing throughout the day. The hen never went broody again.