Broody hen sitting on nest, but.....

[countryjack]

We once had a rooster and a pretty friendly group of birds. A possum killed all the birds but two hens, it broke my wife's and grand kids hearts. These birds were kindergarten projects, from the first years in each child's education. Needless to say, "a dark cloud fell upon the family". However, we have two hens that survived the attack. Now, our oldest hen has begun to sit, brood about 6 eggs. Like I said, we have no rooster. We are wondering, should we raid her nesting place, complete with a solid eviction? We are afraid to interrupt her "cycle" so traumatically, for fear that when we acquire a rooster, she won't want to lay again... Or should we just let her sit until she gets tired or bored? In general how should we be dealing or not dealing with this issue?

 

[sharondoright]

If you don't want to put fertile eggs under her, or make her a surrogate mama, then I just collect the eggs from under her each day. Push her out of nest, get the eggs, and repeat as needed. I had a broody girl(s) last fall, with rooster in flock. But I didn't have enough nests to spare one for the brooder. So, I just kicked her out much to her disgust. Same hen went broody beginning of June, and we sent roo to a new family (he was aggressive and a big PAIN). She got serious, stayed on nest 24/7 so I got some day old chics and put them under her last week. She is being a great mama, and it is awesome fun to watch.

 

[sylviethecochin]

How long ago was your rooster killed? A hen can retain a rooster's sperm for up to a month.

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x sylviethecochin & sharondoright

It's not good to let a broody sit on eggs when they're not fertile. You can break her by using a Broody Jail; wire cage with wire bottom, food/water, no bedding, suspended so air circulates under ... Or put some fertile eggs under her. Some put day - week old chicks under a broody but timing is a factor (2.5 week - 3wks broody).

I've had to deal with broodies, it takes alot out of them; they loose weight because they don't leave the nest to eat/drink as often. So it does affect their health and immunity. I learned my lesson and Broody Jail gets used every year.

 

[countryjack]

How long ago was your rooster killed? A hen can retain a rooster's sperm for up to a month.

About a year ago...

 

[countryjack]

2x sylviethecochin & sharondoright

It's not good to let a broody sit on eggs when they're not fertile. You can break her by using a Broody Jail; wire cage with wire bottom, food/water, no bedding, suspended so air circulates under ... Or put some fertile eggs under her. Some put day - week old chicks under a broody but timing is a factor (2.5 week - 3wks broody).

I've had to deal with broodies, it takes alot out of them; they loose weight because they don't leave the nest to eat/drink as often. So it does affect their health and immunity. I learned my lesson and Broody Jail gets used every year.

Thanks for your advice. I kind of suspected that this was an excercise in futility. If we find a rooster, should we just toss him into the coop, hoping he will set the pecking order? or...?

 

[ChickNanny13]

If you get any other birds, please quarantine prior to adding to your flock.