Broody Chickens

[bicyclechick]

I have two ladies who won't budge. Both are 1 year old. I am a new chicken steward so this is a new experiece for me. I have a couple q's:
They haven't laid in two weeks. When the behavior began I took the eggs right away.
When I kick them out of the coop they start pecking scratching and drinking immediately, run the length of the cooop three or four times, roll in dust, and go right back to sitting on their heinies.
They are not eating much.
Is it normal for brooky chickens to stop laying eggs?
Is it harmful to let this run its course?
Or Should I continue kicking them out or just let them stay put?

Thanks a million!

 

[dawg53]

Welcome to BYC. I'm dealing with my first experience with a broody hen as well. Except I'm letting her sit on fertile eggs. I remove her from the nest 3 times a day so she can eat and drink. She then returns to the nest on her own. Good luck.

 

[Chickencoop1996]

 

[HatchingFever]

From the Buetiful San Dieago Ca

 

[MSDeb]

Welcome to BYC! glad you decided to join us. Good luck with your birds. In my opinion this is a natural behavior. We have a bird that does this for weeks at a time then runs around with everyone else for a while then goes back to sitting on the nest. We toss her out at least once a day to make sure she eats but otherwise leave her alone. It's a shame we don't have a rooster to fertilize eggs for her but, we don't want any more birds either.

 

[benjoycei]

Hi from NC

 

[NonnasBabies]

&

from Louisiana!

 

[benjoycei]

I carry my broodies around under my arm for awhile everyday. At least they get out and get something to eat and drink when I put them down. It's a good opportunity to pet them and love them up.

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

and

from Ohio. So glad you joined. Sometimes you can break a broody hen by putting her in a cage that is in total darkness for a couple of days. It worked with an Australorp I had once.