broody hen - no male

[carolinachicken]

hi everyone,

we have a hen who seems to be broody. she sits on the nest all day and night.

we do not have any roosters, just 4 hens.

will she be okay? do we need to do anything for her? should someone tell her that she will not be a momma?

thanks!

 

[SpottedCrow]

It won't work even if you hit them over the head with a cast iron pot...
Broodiness is a hormonal thing...

You can try to break up the broody, BY:
Lock her out of where ever she's sitting.
Take away all the eggs.
Put her in a bare wire cage with nothing in it.
Stick an ice pack under her.

Depending on how broody or stubborn the hen is, these things might work...

 

[carolinachicken]

thanks spottedcrow.

should have noticed when i saw that she had pulled out soft feathers to line the nest.

 

[silkiechicken]

Or if none work you can give up and get her a few fertile eggs.

 

[Mac]

I put large ziplock bags filled with ice for mine. That did the trick. BUT, this was in the summer.....

Mac

 

[bantymum]

Hello, dont waste a broody, precious little souls they are!
Get some eggs for her then youll have littlies in 21 days!!