Broody Hen, no Rooster

[hypnochyck]

I have 6 hens and no rooster, so of course my eggs are not fertilized, but my Buff Orpington thinks that all the eggs must be hatched. I have two nesting boxes and one has never been used. All six hens use the same box. Never had this problem before....maybe spring is causing this behavior. Anyway, she gets off long enough to eat and drink, the others run in and lay their eggs, then she keeps 'em warm all day and night. Then I have to reach under her to pull the eggs out and she gets all ruffled and upset and pecked me yesterday. How do I get her off the nest??
Nancy
Benicia,CA

 

[kelseygirl707]

Maybe give her some chicks, she will think she hatched them, and become distracted from brooding to take care of her babies.

 

[Iheartmyhens]

My hens just started laying a couple of months ago and about 3 of them have gone broody for a while.

I currently happen to be at home all day, so when I can I sit out with them for a while and try to check on eggs a few times a day. As soon as I see broody behavior, I pick up the hen and put her in another part of the yard and take away the eggs. I have broken all 3 out of their broody behavior within 2 days tops by doing this, but I think a lot also depends on the breed of chickens you have.

Good luck!