Broody but no clutch?

[rwgrout]

I have a hen who has gone broody for the 3rd time since Spring. It's only been about 9 weeks since her last hatch and she has babies from the first 2. However, she's not sitting on any eggs, just being broody. Here in New England it's starting to get cold - 40's at night. Will she eventually realize it's cold and she's got bupkus!?!?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Most broody hens will sit on nothing. It's a hormonal phase. You can leave her and she will break when she gets depleted enough, or you can break her by penning her in a wired bottom crate slightly elevated off the ground for 3-5 days. Sometimes just blocking the nest or penning them elsewhere works as well.

 

[rwgrout]

Most broody hens will sit on nothing. It's a hormonal phase. You can leave her and she will break when she gets depleted enough, or you can break her by penning her in a wired bottom crate slightly elevated off the ground for 3-5 days. Sometimes just blocking the nest or penning them elsewhere works as well.

Thanks for the information! Appreciate the guidance!