Broody Hen Keeps Breaking/Eating Eggs!

[farmgirl02]

Penny broke her 2cnd egg in two days today! It is her first time being a broody, as she was born last August in 2014. I'm not sure if she is stepping on them when she rearranges them/gets back into her nest, or actually eating them, but each time she has had egg yolk on her beak with shavings stuck to it. Yesterday the egg was just the shell with yolk around it, surrounded by ants! Today the egg she broke was just busted open at the top. She is extremely protective over her clutch of eggs (she only has 10 now), and bites me every time my hand comes near her. The egg that she broke today actually had teeny tiny barley visible little twin chicks that were developing inside it. SO sad!!

We were actually expecting twins since that egg she broke was so big! ): Why does she keep breaking eggs? Any way I can prevent it?

Thanks!!!

farmgirl02

 

[farmgirl02]

I just went to check on her 5 minutes ago and she had kicked 5 eggs out of her nest! 2 are slightly but not badly cracked at the top, and they are cold. Help me, somebody!! What should I do?

 

[donrae]

I'd break her and not use her as a broody momma. Or, break her and try again if/when she goes broody a second time.

 

[farmgirl02]

I'd break her and not use her as a broody momma. Or, break her and try again if/when she goes broody a second time.

Why would you do that? and how do you break them? Do you know why she's acting like this?


thanks!

 

[donrae]

I'd think the why of not letting her brood would be self explanatory, she doesn't seem to be good at it.

Giving her a second chance on another round would just be my choice. but that would be it.

there are lots of threads about breaking a broody, just do a search.