Broody but no eggs

[Teisha888]

I have a lavender orphington hen that went broody and won't come out of her nesting box, however, she isn't sitting on any eggs? What is this all about?

 

[The Coop Crew]

Sometimes it doesn’t matter if they have eggs. Going broody is just a natural thing for them. If you want her to stop, remove her from the nesting box and place her in a small crate that is lifted off of the floor so airflow gets to her belly. Give her access to food and water. Leave her in there for about 3-4 days and then let her out. If she goes immediately back to the nesting box then she needs to be put back in the crate. They call this “broody jail” lol

 

[Mrs. K]

The above is very good advice, it is not good for a hen to wear herself out brooding nothing.

But another option, is to hatch out some chicks. Someone around you has fertilized eggs. Nothing is more fun than a broody hen with chicks. But you might get cockerels too, can you butcher? If not don't hatch.

You can also wait 17-21 day, and slip day old chicks under her. Then you can just get pullets.

I am a sucker for a broody hen. The responsible thing for most people is to break her, but I always try and get chicks.

Mrs K

 

[Teisha888]

Update: She finally laid an egg and is currently sitting on it. I will let her hatch it. Just one tho.

 

[SueT]

Update: She finally laid an egg and is currently sitting on it. I will let her hatch it. Just one tho.

And do you have a rooster?

 

[Teisha888]

Yeppers.

And do you have a rooster?

Yeppers.

 

[SueT]

If you can, mark the egg. So if any others are laid, you can remove them. All eggs need to start on the same day.

 

[Teisha888]

If you can, mark the egg. So if any others are laid, you can remove them. All eggs need to start on the same day.

Yes I marked it this morning. I can only let her have 1 though, I don't let my chickens free-range and theres currently 8 hens and 1 rooster in the coop. Not room for another batch of babies.

 

[SueT]

I recently let a broody hatch one egg because she was so insistent. I did have to remove other eggs from another hen almost every day. This chick is now 3 weeks old, and mama treats it like royalty, as does the rest of the little flock.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I recently let a broody hatch one egg because she was so insistent. I did have to remove other eggs from another hen almost every day. This chick is now 3 weeks old, and mama treats it like royalty, as does the rest of the little flock. View attachment 3888133

That roosters face He’s like “why are you looking at my baby mama and kid like that?”