broody hen in hot weather!

[Bacongirl27]

Last week my hen decided to go broody for the first time on me, the only problem is that it is 107 degrees out side and I am not able to put a fan in the coop. Usually I let them free-range during the day so they find shade under trees and by the water. Are here eggs going to even hatch? I have tried to move her and she will not let me. What should I do? The thought of a few chicks from her is nice but I dont want her to stay in that hot coop! ( BTW it cools down significantly when the sun sets in there... down to the 80s) Any suggestions?

 

[Bacongirl27]

I have put ice packs in the coop and I try and give her frozen fruits but she will only take a bit of them. What else do you think I can do? I also have week old chicks, should I try and put them with her at night so maybe she will leave her nest and raise them or is that to risky for the chicks? Thanks!

 

[macmama]

Well my broody hatched 5/5 successfully just 2 1/2 weeks ago (I'm in Gilbert) and I didn't do anything but make sure she was always shaded and had water within reach. My other broody is due any time now (using an adjusted 19 days for the heat) so we'll see...
It does seem way too hot to sit on a nest right now, but I noticed that they always took their "break" right around 4pm when it was hottest. I'll let you know how mine turns out. Good luck!

ETA: Mine wouldn't eat anything either from my hand, but once a day I lifted each of them off of the nest and set them near the food and water. They would spend several minutes just drinking, eat a little, and hop back on their nests.

 

[suebee]

Quote:
In my opinion giving her week old chicks is very risky. She may try to kill them. I know it's hot but a broody doesn't care how hot or cold it gets...she will sit even if there isn't any eggs under her. Keep cool water within her reach.

 

[Bacongirl27]

Thanks for the advice. Yep, my hen comes out at about 5 o'clock, takes a drink and poops....lol...they right back to her nest... they are determined little buggers aren't they?

 

[Al Capon]

So did anybody figure out how to break one when it's hot outside? I've got one that's Broody, temps in the mid 90's with high humidity.

 

[chickfused]

I've got two I don't want to break. But they are inside a coop that is insanely hot and won't come out! I have a fan, but it really doesn't feel like enough. They are still panting.

 

[BDutch]

I don’t know for sure how much heat most chickens can take but if she sits on fake eggs you could try to make her sit somewhere , in the shade. Lock her up in a small coop or a bench with a little run where she can stretch her legs once a day.
If she stops its no problem.

If she sits on fertilised eggs you should cool down the spot as much as you can in such heat. I had a similar problem once too. I cut a window screen for cars and nailed it over the lid of the nestbox. It really made a difference. You can put up a parasol , tarp or a party tent to provide more shade too. Make sure she has enough fresh water. I don’t think there’s much more you can do. But chickens that are not specialised for cold weather often can endure quit some heat. Which breed is she ?

And of course if you are convinced you don't want her to breed. You can always break her broodiness. There are a few articles and lots of threads on how to do this. Just search for : breaking broody.

 

[chickfused]

Wyandottes. She's got fertile eggs coming as of Monday. I just don't want her to die of heat exhaustion trying to be a mum. I have no other predator secure place for her to be.

 

[BDutch]

Wyandottes. She's got fertile eggs coming as of Monday. I just don't want her to die of heat exhaustion trying to be a mum. I have no other predator secure place for her to be.

I believe that Wyandotte’s can endure heath quit wel.
Give her as much shade and natural ventilation (openings with hwc) as you can.