Broody Hen, advice?

[Elfie4306]

So we have four full grown chickens in all, and one of them has gone broody. We don't have any roosters, so they are not fertilized. A few important notes-

• She has been in the nesting box for about a week now
• She has just stopped laying today
• All four of the chickens share the same nesting box so there are still new eggs in it every day
• We have still been collecting them and removing her from the box every day

I was thinking we should get her some fertile eggs, I know it's really hard on them though, so I was wondering what you guys thought. Should I get fertile eggs, or break her broodiness? I'm not sure if this is important, but just in case, it has been around 80 degrees (F) the past week, but it should be going back down to 60 next Wednesday. I personally would prefer to have her hatch eggs, but if that would risk her health I'm absolutely fine with breaking her broodiness. Speaking of, if that is the best course, if you could link some good websites for that, or offer advice it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

As long as she was healthy to begin with, she should be fine. If you want her to hatch them, you should get her eggs soon so she doesn’t sit for too much extra time. But you should consider where you’re going to put the chicks. Do you have enough space? You should always have a plan for the cockerels. Sell them? Do you have enough room? Good luck!

 

[Ribh]

While your hen will do a great job hatching & raising chicks always have a plan for helping her & disposing of unwanted cockerels. I wouldn't let her sit this time. She's already a week in to 21 days & broodiness takes quite a big toll on their bodies even when they are made to eat & drink every day. I'd break her this time & have a plan for the next time she goes broody if you would like her to hatch chicks.