Broody but still laying eggs

[PNW_Peepers]

I have a pullet born 12/18/17 who has been displaying broody symptoms for a month. She has lost a lot of weight and is overall very weak. I currently have her in a wire bottomed “broody breaker” but she just isn’t budging. Should I break and get her some fertilized eggs? I currently only have space for one more bird so giving her a clutch feels immoral to me, but loosing her due to broodiness is out of the question for me. What should I do?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds more sick than broody. Usually hens will break naturally as they lose too much weight. What makes you think she's broody? Sick birds will often hide in nestboxes.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

She was sitting on eggs all day long, even collecting eggs from other boxes. Then leaving once a day to eat, drink, and poop. Come night she’s in the nest box. She’s puffed up. When I try to touch her in the nest box she screams and bites me.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

I’ve given her Nutri-Drench the last couple days as she won’t eat or drink in the wire bottomed crate.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If she's already thin I don't think I would give her eggs. If they have been broody a long time it could take a week or so to break her. Don't let her out. Offer her something tasty like scrambled eggs or watermelon. Keep her somewhere cool or the reason behind the wire bottom crate will be lost. If it's hot out use a fan on her for part of the day to speed things along. She should start eating like a horse after she's broke.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

I have her in the garage as it stays cooler than anywhere else. It has a few windows I put her near so she could at least get sunlight. I’ll feed her some boiled eggs and hope for the best! Thank you so much for the help.

 

[calichicken]

Hi! I have a Bantam Cochin girl that Is a die-hard broody! I tried to break her the first time and she completely stressed out, lost lots of weight. Now when she goes broody, I set her up in a separate cage with food, water...i put it right in front of her so she can eat from her nest box. She has gone broody 4 more times since our first episode (she is ONLY a year and 2 months old) and stays healthy each time. Some girls are just habitual broodies so I decided not to fight it with my girl after the first time. I kick her out of her nest twice a day to run around, dust and poop. Each hen is different so you just have to do what works for you and her. Good luck!!!

Here is my forever broody Fiona!

 

[PNW_Peepers]

She’s Gorgeous!

 

[calichicken]

She’s Gorgeous!

Thank you!!!! I adore her...not so much her broodiness...LOL! But we have it figured out! Hopefully the same will happen with your girl!

This is her broody set up. Totally get it's not for everyone, but it has worked for us and she stays healthy, happy and lost very little weight she was giving me that broody stink eye!

 

[PNW_Peepers]

If this girl stays relentless, that might be a great solution.