Broody Hen and Pecking Order

[jdgrell]

Hi,

I have a question on broody hens. My Blue Wyandotte started brooding 3 weeks ago, we don't have a rooster so her efforts are in vain. We pull any eggs each day so she is sitting on an empty nest.

She seems to be doing fine, but the other chickens are really picking on her. When she get's off the nest the others tear into her. Way beyond the typical pecking order scuffles we have had in the past.

I am not worrying about it too much, but wanted to check in and see if this was normal.

Thx,

 

[Happy Chooks]

From what I've read if she's broody, you either need to give her something to hatch or break her being broody. They don't eat much when they are broody, so it's not good for her to stay that way long term.

They will go broody with or without a rooster, it's just her hormones saying she wants to be a mom.

How often does she get off the nest? Is there blood involved?