Breaking broody hen

[aart]

I appreciate all the advise given.
Went to check on her about two hours ago and she was no longer making her kuk-kuk-kuk sounds, she was making her normal sounds so I decided to let her out of the dog cage and watch her. It’s being Two hours and she has not gone near the nesting boxes or attempted to make a nest under a tree.
I think her broodyness may be over.

Sometimes if you catch them early they break pretty fast, especially if they are young..

 

[Ponte]

She was out all day, as far as I know she never went into the nesting boxes.
How long before she starts laying ?
Will her vent feathers return fairly soon ?

 

[rosemarythyme]

She'll resume laying in roughly 2 weeks (might be a bit sooner, might be a bit later).

 

[Ponte]

She'll resume laying in roughly 2 weeks (might be a bit sooner, might be a bit later).

Thanks

 

[rhino1157]

I'm confused as to why you would break a hen from being broody. I just reach in grab the eggs on hens that are staying in the nesting boxes. I had a Rooster, so I have 14 new hatchlings. Out of 60+ hens I only have 3 who are broody. Since Lenny died defending his flock, I expect that my broody

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm confused as to why you would break a hen from being broody.

For people who have no intention of hatching/getting chicks, it's better for the hen's health to not remain broody, as they can lose weight and body condition from remaining like that.

 

[Sixandahalfacres]

Yes... also, broody hens stop laying eggs... so when 7 out of 15 hens go broody all at once, egg production isn’t great.

 

[Ponte]

I'm confused as to why you would break a hen from being broody.

I am not looking to her as an incubator, want a few eggs and what’s best for her health.

 

[aart]

I'm confused as to why you would break a hen from being broody. I just reach in grab the eggs on hens that are staying in the nesting boxes. I had a Rooster, so I have 14 new hatchlings. Out of 60+ hens I only have 3 who are broody.

Not everyone has space, nor wants, that many birds.
Plus this.....

For people who have no intention of hatching/getting chicks, it's better for the hen's health to not remain broody, as they can lose weight and body condition from remaining like that.

 

[Double Yolked]

I had a very VERY stubborn Australorp go broody on me last summer. I tried about everything described here and that stubborn little bird would brood in the corner on nothing at all. I finally gave up, gave her 4 fake eggs and put water and food next to her in a nesting area I partially screened off from the rest of the flock. Forced her out of the nest for a bit each day. She brooded her fake eggs for 28 days then started leaving the nest voluntarily for a bit longer each day to eat and attack the other hens.
(She came off the nest very cranky)

However in another week she was back to normal with no serious harm.