Broody Hen - New To This!

[akf93]

I’ve got my first broody hen. Just started today. I keep taking her out of the box and putting her with her flock and trying to distract with snacks but she keeps ending up back on the nest - sometimes different nests. After closing them up tonight, I took her out and put her on a roost.

Should I keep doing what I’m doing? Should I give her fake eggs? I do have a rooster. Is there a way to tell which eggs are fertile so I can give her some? Or should I get chicks at the feed store? What should I do? I don’t want it to “spread”. My laying girls don’t lay enough as it is. But I’m okay with a few more chicks if that’s the better route. However, it’s getting cold now and *I* don’t want to be caring for chicks.

Thoughts???

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

I’ve got my first broody hen. Just started today. I keep taking her out of the box and putting her with her flock and trying to distract with snacks but she keeps ending up back on the nest - sometimes different nests. After closing them up tonight, I took her out and put her on a roost.

Should I keep doing what I’m doing? Should I give her fake eggs? I do have a rooster. Is there a way to tell which eggs are fertile so I can give her some? Or should I get chicks at the feed store? What should I do? I don’t want it to “spread”. My laying girls don’t lay enough as it is. But I’m okay with a few more chicks if that’s the better route. However, it’s getting cold now and *I* don’t want to be caring for chicks.

Thoughts???

I dont really know but i think some of these people woulf know. @MysteryChicken @Weeg @OddOneOut and maybe @WIchickMama

 

[sdm111]

I’ve got my first broody hen. Just started today. I keep taking her out of the box and putting her with her flock and trying to distract with snacks but she keeps ending up back on the nest - sometimes different nests. After closing them up tonight, I took her out and put her on a roost.

Should I keep doing what I’m doing? Should I give her fake eggs? I do have a rooster. Is there a way to tell which eggs are fertile so I can give her some? Or should I get chicks at the feed store? What should I do? I don’t want it to “spread”. My laying girls don’t lay enough as it is. But I’m okay with a few more chicks if that’s the better route. However, it’s getting cold now and *I* don’t want to be caring for chicks.

Thoughts???

Broodiness fortunately is not contagious

 

[akf93]

Broodiness fortunately is not contagious

Well that’s good! I had read that sometimes more girls will go broody once the first does so it’s more reason to break them fast. again, I’m new to all this!

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Before you give her chicks or eggs, let her sit for a few days to be sure she sticks with it.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I dont really know but i think some of these people woulf know. @MysteryChicken @Weeg @OddOneOut and maybe @WIchickMama

Typically I just let my hens run the coarse of their broodiness, & collect the eggs till they snap out of it.

As for broody spreading, it has happened to me this year, 1 broody hen triggered 6 more to go broody, which was a record for that particular coop. Had a total of 7 broody hens.

 

[DobieLover]

I’ve got my first broody hen. Just started today. I keep taking her out of the box and putting her with her flock and trying to distract with snacks but she keeps ending up back on the nest - sometimes different nests. After closing them up tonight, I took her out and put her on a roost.

Should I keep doing what I’m doing? Should I give her fake eggs? I do have a rooster. Is there a way to tell which eggs are fertile so I can give her some? Or should I get chicks at the feed store? What should I do? I don’t want it to “spread”. My laying girls don’t lay enough as it is. But I’m okay with a few more chicks if that’s the better route. However, it’s getting cold now and *I* don’t want to be caring for chicks.

Thoughts???

Do you have enough room in your setup for more chickens now?
What will you do with the cockerels that hatch?
Where are you located?
Now certainly isn't the best time to let a brand new, unproven broody set if you live in an area that gets really cold.
Personally, I would break her by putting her in an elevated wire crate for three nights and days with food and water and a piece of wood to perch on. Put the crate in a predator proof area in a high traffic zone with lots of activity if possible. Let her out on after the third day and see what she does. If she roosts, she broke. If she goes back to the nest, put her back in the crate for another night and day and try again the following night.

 

[akf93]

Do you have enough room in your setup for more chickens now?
What will you do with the cockerels that hatch?
Where are you located?
Now certainly isn't the best time to let a brand new, unproven broody set if you live in an area that gets really cold.
Personally, I would break her by putting her in an elevated wire crate for three nights and days with food and water and a piece of wood to perch on. Put the crate in a predator proof area in a high traffic zone with lots of activity if possible. Let her out on after the third day and see what she does. If she roosts, she broke. If she goes back to the nest, put her back in the crate for another night and day and try again the following night.

I do have room for more. And I have a set plan for unwanted cockerels. I’m in NE Indiana. Fall is beginning. Winter is coming quick. Thanks for the detailed suggestion!

 

[WIchickMama]

tons of great info as usual from @DobieLover

Yep! If you dont have room OR the want/time/etc to raise chicks if the mama hen abandons the eggs or chicks then break her. Break her in a broody jail/pen. Chicks might be hard to find this time if year and you would need to let her sit in eggs for 5-7 days before you could see if any are fertile or developing which means harder to break.

There is always next spring to have chicks

 

[akf93]

tons of great info as usual from @DobieLover

Yep! If you dont have room OR the want/time/etc to raise chicks if the mama hen abandons the eggs or chicks then break her. Break her in a broody jail/pen. Chicks might be hard to find this time if year and you would need to let her sit in eggs for 5-7 days before you could see if any are fertile or developing which means harder to break.

There is always next spring to have chicks

My local feed store IS carrying chicks right now. But I think I’ll continue trying to break her if that’s most recommended with winter temps well on their way.