Broody girl

[Marti5]

Hi, I have a RIR that’s been broody for nearly a month. (There’s no rooster). I’m so tried of this. I guess the other three stopped laying because she’s been so ornery. Is that why? And they were doing so well.I mean I waiting all winter. Grr. How can I snap her out of this. She IS laying one or two eggs ever so often. But not the others. How can I get everyone back on track? Thanks.

 

[rural mouse]

If she's broody, she's not laying. She's "incubating to hatch babies" whether the eggs are fertile or not. The others are either laying in her nest or she's taking them to her nest (yes determined broodies can move eggs).

Term you're looking for is "breaking a broody". Pretty sure there's an article or 2 on the subject

 

[rosemarythyme]

Set her up in a broody breaker: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/broody-breaking-ala-aart.77915/ - it may take longer than average since she's been broody this long, or it may end sooner simply because she's sat too long.

In the future, if you don't plan on hatching or giving her chicks, it's best for peace in the flock to break immediately upon confirming the bird is broody.

 

[rural mouse]

I usually let my ladies at least TRY to hatch.

1. If she's determined, breaking her can be a royal pain.
2. It's a rest from laying eggs, which can allow her body time to rejuvenate and extend her lifespan.
3. When she's sat the 21 days + , breaking usually means I simply pull her off the nest to roost every night. 2-3 evenings and she's done. Last summer I had 1 more determined. Feet into hose running on the ground. Each time (3-4 times in a day) farther from the coop. The run back with wet feet/dampened belly/fluff cooled her extra warm broody temp.

 

[Marti5]

Wow, ok. This one’s been at it around 21 days. Thanks.

 

[rural mouse]

Wow, ok. This one’s been at it around 21 days. Thanks.

Alternatively, see if you can find a few chicks and con her into accepting them to raise

 

[Marti5]

Oh that would be ideal, wouldn’t it!