Broody hen problem !!!!!!

[Annalyse]

So I've dealt with a broody hen before but that one was nice. Now I have a problem. My Australorp is broody, rooster mates her sometimes so she can have babies but idk if rooster mates her in a while. I had to take the eggs tonight and she did try to bite but that's fine. The problem is I'm going on a trip for the weekend and my cousin is watching the chickens. SHE'S NEVER DEALT NOR HEARD OF A BROODY HEN!! How should I prepare her for this. I need her to get the eggs. If she goes in from before she cant get bitten. When I have a broody I block off her favorite box and she stops so.

 

[Jenessa_09]

So correct me if I’m wrong but your problem is that you want to break the broody hen?

 

[50-45-1]

If she is timid or afraid of a chicken peck. Maybe she could toss a towel over the chicken, gently lift her and remove any eggs. You might try this to see if it works.
Or she could time the gathering of eggs at the same time as tossing a handful of scratch in the run. Maybe your broody will come off the nest for that?
Maybe not, worth a try.

 

[Annalyse]

So correct me if I’m wrong but your problem is that you want to break the broody hen?

Sorry that's my fault. I meant along the lines of how I wont be able to be their so I cant deal with the broody hen myself. I hate to put her into that position as I dont want her getting in a fight trying to get the eggs.

 

[Annalyse]

If she is timid or afraid of a chicken peck. Maybe she could toss a towel over the chicken, gently lift her and remove any eggs. You might try this to see if it works.
Or she could time the gathering of eggs at the same time as tossing a handful of scratch in the run. Maybe your broody will come off the nest for that?
Maybe not, worth a try.

Usually the hens will come out of the box if I open the door so they could go into the garden. I did that today everyone came out except her. She just watched while sitting on her eggs. Some scratch I dont think will help. But I am going to take her out the box tomrrow morning and block it off.

 

[Chickies11]

Maybe she could wear thick gloves\oven mitts when she collects eggs?

 

[Jenessa_09]

Sorry that's my fault. I meant along the lines of how I wont be able to be their so I cant deal with the broody hen myself. I hate to put her into that position as I dont want her getting in a fight trying to get the eggs.

Well how long are you going to be gone for?? Marine you could secluded her in a crate or something if your not going away for long. Although that’s not ideal.

 

[Annalyse]

Well how long are you going to be gone for?? Marine you could secluded her in a crate or something if your not going away for long. Although that’s not ideal.

it's for the night in CT, a 4-hour drive. going up Saturday and coming back Sunday afternoon. She should be fine it's just I don't know I'm worried.

 

[Jenessa_09]

it's for the night in CT, a 4-hour drive. going up Saturday and coming back Sunday afternoon. She should be fine it's just I don't know I'm worried.

Yeah she should be fine if you leave her in a crate or I if you can lock your chickens up in run where she can’t get to the nesting boxes? Anyone else have any ideas??

 

[rosemarythyme]

For 1 night? I'd start breaking her in a crate (assuming you don't want to hatch) and you can deal with checking if she's broken or not after you get back.

Make sure food and water are well secured in the broody breaker, broodies tend to throw everything around!