Broody Hen question

[marialane]

I have two broody hens right now. The first one, Sadie is sitting on five presumedly fertile eggs. She allows us to peer in and check on her and also encourage her to eat/drink and relive herself. The other, Sweet Pea, is as mean as they come. She refuses to come out of the roost box. She is sitting on a false egg. If she were a human, she'd be a teenage girl with tons of make up on and coming in at all hours of the night! Anyway, is there anything we can do? Should I just plain pick her up and strongly encourage her to eat? Or...just let her be?

Thanks all!

 

[Miz Mary]

I have my first broodys ...2 of them .... They will hatch any day now .... they wanted to sit side by side on the coop floor .... I want them separated in case the first one hatches and the second get off her nest - she is one week later to hatch out ....... if you want to move them , do it at night . make sure they have water /food availible .... cat carriers /dog crates are good broody pens .....

 

[sandracollins]

Put food and water in the nest box with her and make sure she eats and drinks then at night rob some of the other hens fertile eggs and put them under her so they can share

 

[Lisa202]

Well, if you do pick her up, put gloves on. I've read where some people's broody hens are really mean. My 2 EE's both went broody and they've been so sweet. Sure, they growl a bit, but it's so little, it actually sounds like a purr. But that's an EE for you.

I know a lot of people would say not to intervene and let her do what she needs to do, but I like to help if I can.