Broody 26 week old

[AzChickMama]

I have a hen that is 26 weeks for the last 3 days she has been consistently staying in the Nesting box. Some days she lays an egg other times she sits and no egg. I remove any eggs she lays within hours of her laying. We don't want her to hatch any right now. I have taken her out of the box during the afternoon if I haven't seen her come out. Usually she lays on the ground for about 5 minutes before she gets up to snack or go out with the others. At night I take her from the box and put her on a perch in the dark, last night I had to do it twice I have no idea how she even sees to get down and into a box but she is determined. Is it normal for them to be broody even if there are no eggs under them? Sorry this is our first one and we are learning. I keep reading mixed things so I thought why not ask the pros.

Not sure it really matters but she is a Orpington/Brahma.

 

[nchls school]

Yes, it is normal for a lot of hens to brood an empty nest. There are breeds that are just the opposite. My phoenix and serama will not brood an empty nest which makes it easier to break them of broodiness, but they just lay another clutch and the whole process starts over. Since I have many species of poultry, I always give them something to hatch, even if it's just one egg. Mine are pets/hobby so I don't care how many eggs I get.

 

[DobieLover]

I have a hen that is 26 weeks for the last 3 days she has been consistently staying in the Nesting box. Some days she lays an egg other times she sits and no egg. I remove any eggs she lays within hours of her laying. We don't want her to hatch any right now. I have taken her out of the box during the afternoon if I haven't seen her come out. Usually she lays on the ground for about 5 minutes before she gets up to snack or go out with the others. At night I take her from the box and put her on a perch in the dark, last night I had to do it twice I have no idea how she even sees to get down and into a box but she is determined. Is it normal for them to be broody even if there are no eggs under them? Sorry this is our first one and we are learning. I keep reading mixed things so I thought why not ask the pros.

Not sure it really matters but she is a Orpington/Brahma.

It's normal. They tend to graft more to the nest site/area rather than the eggs.
You need to lock her in an elevated wire crate with food and water and elevate it so it's out of any bedding and air can circulate under her.

I keep a piece of wood in the crate for the pullet/hen to sit on.
Leave her there for three days and two nights. Let her out at the end of the third day about an hour before the flock heads to roost.
If she roosts with them, let her stay.
If she heads back to the nest, lock her up again and try releasing her again the next night.
She'll break this way.

 

[EEforMe]

Yes…all normal, what’s interesting to me is her age: I’ve never had a bird go broody at such a young age.

 

[AzChickMama]

Yes, it is normal for a lot of hens to brood an empty nest. There are breeds that are just the opposite. My phoenix and serama will not brood an empty nest which makes it easier to break them of broodiness, but they just lay another clutch and the whole process starts over. Since I have many species of poultry, I always give them something to hatch, even if it's just one egg. Mine are pets/hobby so I don't care how many eggs I get.

Mine are pets to and the eggs are a bonus. We are just going to be out of town for Christmas and new years and if we let her hatch we may not be home and I am afraid another hen or rooster might hurt it or she may not car for it and I don't want to come back to a dead baby. . I am totally fine with it after the new year when we will be home to help if needed. Someone is watching out for them while gone but aside from collecting the eggs and making sure they have food or water they would be clueless on how to help or what to look for.

 

[AzChickMama]

Yes…all normal, what’s interesting to me is her age: I’ve never had a bird go broody at such a young age.

I didn't think it would happen so early. I know her age is correct because we hatched her. She's only been laying about 3 weeks. Last week I notice pulled feathers in the box she lays in and then this started.

 

[AzChickMama]

It's normal. They tend to graft more to the nest site/area rather than the eggs.
You need to lock her in an elevated wire crate with food and water and elevate it so it's out of any bedding and air can circulate under her.
View attachment 2912139
I keep a piece of wood in the crate for the pullet/hen to sit on.
Leave her there for three days and two nights. Let her out at the end of the third day about an hour before the flock heads to roost.
If she roosts with them, let her stay.
If she heads back to the nest, lock her up again and try releasing her again the next night.
She'll break this way.

I've seen some mention this, what is the purpose? To make her uncomfortable? This doesn't stop it from ever happening again correct? I do take her out and put her in the yard although she is not happy and tries to get back in the box but I close the coop. Will this help break her or is the wire crate the only way?

 

[DobieLover]

I've seen some mention this, what is the purpose? To make her uncomfortable? This doesn't stop it from ever happening again correct? I do take her out and put her in the yard although she is not happy and tries to get back in the box but I close the coop. Will this help break her or is the wire crate the only way?

If you want it DONE, crate her for three days. It cools her belly and stops her from nesting.
It does not permanently stop them from going broody. I wish! I had to break the same hen at least 7 times this year she was so determined.

 

[DobieLover]

I am afraid another hen or rooster might hurt it or she may not car for it and I don't want to come back to a dead baby. .

Read this. It will help you prepare for when you do want to let her set.

 

[aart]

If you want it DONE, crate her for three days. It cools her belly and stops her from nesting.

Yes, this^^^

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(1x2) on the bottom but no bedding, set up on a couple of 4x4's right in the coop or run with feed and water.

After 48 hours I let her out of crate very near roosting time(30-60 mins) if she goes to roost great, if she goes to nest put her back in crate for another 48 hours.

Tho not necessary a chunk of 2x4 for a 'roost' was added to crate floor, gives the feet a break from the wire floor and encourages roosting.