Broody Hen Thread!

[PD-Riverman]

Thanks, microchick. I'm going to break her of the habit for her own sake.

It only take me 3 days to break one---some times I have to break alot of them in a month, But I set alot of them---around 60 in just the last year.

 

[microchick]

Good decision Skunkwhisperer! I am also giving our Broody Miss probiotics and vitamins in her drinking water while she is incubating. Anything to help her through the process.

Are you going to use a Broody Buster cage? The first time our now brooding hen went broody was 10 days before Christmas of all times. After three days of boosting her off the nest, stealing her eggs and putting her out in the pen (where she just found a corner and proceeded to build herself a nest and lay claim to it) I dragged out the dog kennel and in she went. It took three days, letting her out only to roost with the other birds after blocking off the nesting boxes but it worked......until 14 days ago when she turned up broody again. This time I just didn't have the heart to shove her in the kennel again so I told her that if she was that determined, buenas suerte! And gave her all the eggs she could shove under her to sit on.

What I'm saying is that prepare yourself. If your girl is determined, not much is going to get in her way. Breaking her may only be a temporary fix.

Consider maybe getting a few fertile eggs for somebody and stuffing them under her if she does a repeat performance for you. Special breed that you have always wanted to get for your flock...might be the chance.

 

[SkunkWhisperer]

Good decision Skunkwhisperer! I am also giving our Broody Miss probiotics and vitamins in her drinking water while she is incubating. Anything to help her through the process.

Are you going to use a Broody Buster cage? The first time our now brooding hen went broody was 10 days before Christmas of all times. After three days of boosting her off the nest, stealing her eggs and putting her out in the pen (where she just found a corner and proceeded to build herself a nest and lay claim to it) I dragged out the dog kennel and in she went. It took three days, letting her out only to roost with the other birds after blocking off the nesting boxes but it worked......until 14 days ago when she turned up broody again. This time I just didn't have the heart to shove her in the kennel again so I told her that if she was that determined, buenas suerte! And gave her all the eggs she could shove under her to sit on.

What I'm saying is that prepare yourself. If your girl is determined, not much is going to get in her way. Breaking her may only be a temporary fix.

Consider maybe getting a few fertile eggs for somebody and stuffing them under her if she does a repeat performance for you. Special breed that you have always wanted to get for your flock...might be the chance.

I really don't want more birds, since I already can't eat as many eggs as they're laying. I've been giving extras to the neighbors, but I'll probably start giving them to charities...women's shelters and the like.

I'm not sure how I'm going to break her other than pulling eggs out from under her and pushing her out of the nest. She's not obsessively broody...she just likes being there and gets a little cranky when I reach under her. When I let the gang free range, she's so outta there, just like the rest of 'em. And she still basically likes me and will fly up on my arm if she thinks I have mealworms in my hand. The problem with blocking the nests is that the girls lay at different times, though usually before 3:00 pm, so I don't want to get the hens in the habit of laying elsewhere. Throwing her in a small pen with no nesting materials would be a last resort, so I hope she gets the hint.

Incidentally, she has the runs. I've been sequestering her with a bowl of yogurt for about a half hour a day, hoping that will cure the problem. Do you think her digestive problems might be related to her broodiness?

 

[RubyNala97]

I have my very first broody hen! That's right, I'm going to be a grandma!
I thought I could use some guidance and support for the next 21 days. I'm excited but slightly concerned. My hen was broody for about 2-3 days before I went ahead and gave her 4 eggs, yesterday morning. I seperated her from the flock and she's in a warm, safe place but she has not gotten off the nest to eat, drink or go to the bathroom since yesterday morning when I gave her the eggs. She will eventually get off, right? I put food and water right next to her. She just has to go over the lip of the nest box. I did put some FF right next to her but she has not touched it. Should I put the water in the nest box? It's not an actual nest box so I have the room...here's a pic...

 

[microchick]

Could be. Broodies only eliminate once a day. It's gross. I opened the coop door today to find our broody had left me a great big nasty smelling semi formed present right by the door. I thanked her and grabbed the shovel.

 

[SkunkWhisperer]

Could be. Broodies only eliminate once a day. It's gross. I opened the coop door today to find our broody had left me a great big nasty smelling semi formed present right by the door. I thanked her and grabbed the shovel.

Thanks for the chuckle, microchick. I have yet to experience a chicken turd that didn't make me want to hurl.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I have my very first broody hen! That's right, I'm going to be a grandma!

I thought I could use some guidance and support for the next 21 days. I'm excited but slightly concerned. My hen was broody for about 2-3 days before I went ahead and gave her 4 eggs, yesterday morning. I seperated her from the flock and she's in a warm, safe place but she has not gotten off the nest to eat, drink or go to the bathroom since yesterday morning when I gave her the eggs. She will eventually get off, right? I put food and water right next to her. She just has to go over the lip of the nest box. I did put some FF right next to her but she has not touched it. Should I put the water in the nest box? It's not an actual nest box so I have the room...here's a pic...

First thing is move the food and water across the coop so if she wants food or water--she has to get off the nest--then she will poop/stretch her legs/eat/drink/etc. A dish pan of dirt for a dust bath if she does not have access to a dirt floor. I promice you she will not starve to death. She Just wants to be Left alone. No treat feeding her in the nest!! Once I move mine to a private place---I never bother them or look under them at all. If all her eggs were set at the same time she should hatch them around the same time----if they are all good. Having set 100's Best thing I can tell you is hands Off being she is in a private nest, Good Luck!!

 

[daxigait]

I have my very first broody hen! That's right, I'm going to be a grandma!
I thought I could use some guidance and support for the next 21 days. I'm excited but slightly concerned. My hen was broody for about 2-3 days before I went ahead and gave her 4 eggs, yesterday morning. I seperated her from the flock and she's in a warm, safe place but she has not gotten off the nest to eat, drink or go to the bathroom since yesterday morning when I gave her the eggs. She will eventually get off, right? I put food and water right next to her. She just has to go over the lip of the nest box. I did put some FF right next to her but she has not touched it. Should I put the water in the nest box? It's not an actual nest box so I have the room...here's a pic...

I have read you should leave it far enough away that she leaves the nest so she doesn't poop in it.

 

[RubyNala97]

First thing is move the food and water across the coop so if she wants food or water--she has to get off the nest--then she will poop/stretch her legs/eat/drink/etc. A dish pan of dirt for a dust bath if she does not have access to a dirt floor. I promice you she will not starve to death. She Just wants to be Left alone. No treat feeding her in the nest!! Once I move mine to a private place---I never bother them or look under them at all. If all her eggs were set at the same time she should hatch them around the same time----if they are all good. Having set 100's Best thing I can tell you is hands Off being she is in a private nest, Good Luck!!

I have read you should leave it far enough away that she leaves the nest so she doesn't poop in it.

Great!! Thank you guys! The food and water was on the other side and I moved it close. So I will go move it back. (The other side is only about 3-4 feet away) And I did set some treats next to her, so no more of that either. See, I knew I needed you guys! I will let her do her thing! Thanks again!

 

[daxigait]

Good hatching!