Broody hen - am I handling this right?

[Thumper51]

Fritatta! Easier than omelettes when there's more than just you, and you can make one in a skillet on the stove top! I add cheese, sauteed onion, garlic, chopped wilted spinach, avocado and tomato and a few herbs/spices. Serve with salsa, yum!

I'm going to try that one, sounds yummy!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I wished I liked deviled eggs, but I hate mayo.

Have you tried making them with Miracle Whip? Some people prefer that, as it's sweeter. Me, I'm a mayo girl all the way!

 

[rosemarythyme]

She was losing weight and her comb was getting a little droopy. I think, ultimately, she'll be better off after she's broken. Plus - I like my eggs!

All good reasons for breaking her. She'll be a lot less grumpy when she's over it as well. I find that 3 days is about average for breaking but it really depends on the individual chicken and how long they've been broody for.

 

[Thumper51]

All good reasons for breaking her. She'll be a lot less grumpy when she's over it as well. I find that 3 days is about average for breaking but it really depends on the individual chicken and how long they've been broody for.

Thank you!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Best of luck!

Thanks! And yes, she was back on the nest.

 

[Thumper51]

The cool(not COLD) water dip can work, especially if it's really hot out. especially if used in conjunction with a wire crate.
Crate doesn't need to be suspended way up high, just high enough to get some air flow underneath.


My experience goes about like this: After her setting for 3 days and nights in the nest (or as soon as I know they are broody), I put her in a wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller wire on the bottom but no bedding, set up on a couple of 4x4's right in the coop or run with feed and water.

I used to let them out a couple times a day, but now just once a day in the evening(you don't have to) and she would go out into the run, drop a huge turd, race around running, take a vigorous dust bath then head back to the nest... at which point I put her back in the crate. Each time her outings would lengthen a bit, eating, drinking and scratching more and on the 3rd afternoon she stayed out of the nest and went to roost that evening...event over, back to normal tho she didn't lay for another week or two. Or take her out of crate daily very near roosting time(30-60 mins) if she goes to roost great, if she goes to nest put her back in crate.

Chunk of 2x4 for a 'roost' was added to crate floor after pic was taken.
View attachment 1885941

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! It's helpful to get a feel for typical behaviors and our responses.

 

[slordaz]

It can take anywhere from 3-7 days generally to break a hen. The longer they have been broody the longer it takes to break them. I leave mine in constantly for 3 days before releasing. If they return to the nest they go back in for 3 more days. Breaking them ASAP can sometimes be done in two days.

yeah mine I put in first time she decided to stay in the nest box all day first time 3 days then a week at a time and she still didn't break she spent a month in broody breaker, she forgot to read the book on how to be a chicken, but once she finally hatched eggs out she was fine

 

[Thumper51]

It can take anywhere from 3-7 days generally to break a hen. The longer they have been broody the longer it takes to break them. I leave mine in constantly for 3 days before releasing. If they return to the nest they go back in for 3 more days. Breaking them ASAP can sometimes be done in two days.

Thanks for the info. I'll see how she does in a couple days.

 

[Matilda Belle]

Any way I can get them lol! Made a couple dozen deviled eggs for a family reunion this weekend and everyone loved them. My personal favorite is beet pickled eggs from an old Pennsylvania Dutch recipe I have. I could eat them all day. Your favorite?

Pickled eggs I haven't tried yet. I haven't eaten them since I was a kid! I like my eggs, scrambled, fried, poached, hard boiled, and just recently I made a boring quiche (all I had on hand to add was cheese).

 

[Thumper51]

Have you tried making them with Miracle Whip? Some people prefer that, as it's sweeter. Me, I'm a mayo girl all the way!

Me too on the mayo! I recently switched from Hellman's to Duke's and I like the Duke's brand so much more!