Brooding Hen

[ParadiseChickens]

I have one hen, about 18 months old, that has decided to sit the nest all day long. Now I know that is not totally uncommon, but do I need to try to stop it. Dont have a clue how I would. My concern is that it is over a hundred degrees here in Texas and it is probably hotter than that in her nest and still she sits.

 

[HEChicken]

I love having broody hens! Last August I had a hen go broody and it was triple digits every single day she was on the nest. Almost all of the eggs hatched, resulting in a nice size brood of healthy chicks.

If it were me, I would put a few fertile eggs under her and let her do her thing.

 

[ParadiseChickens]

I only have 6 hens and no rooster so fertile eggs are not possible. She is just dreaming.

 

[HEChicken]

Oh, I was in that situation the first few times I had broodies too. I just put an ad on CL asking for fertile eggs and got several responses from people only too happy to help me out. The other way you can go is to look on CL for people selling eggs and contact them to ask if they have a rooster. If they do, ask them not to refrigerate eggs for a day or two and you'll be all set.