Broody Hen Thread!

[WildHens]

I would definitely separate them, I use xl dog crates when I have several ay once and use the tops of covered cat litter boxes as nests.

 

[WildHens]

Also anything with a wire bottom can be used to break her, as long as u keep out any and all bedding, nest boxes , ect..

 

[WildHens]

I've a hen that seems to be trying to go broody but doesn't seem able to settle to it. I'm wondering if too much disruption around a hen can stop her settling?

My husband thinks to just leave her alone until she's sitting properly and then separate her. But she's being acting sort of broody for well over a week now and isn't settling down to sit properly.

She is bottom of the pecking order of my 3 adult birds so I'm wondering if the others are pushing her off the nest. She was in the nest last night but got up this morning for a while to eat before going back to the nest. She was off the nest again this afternoon but one of the others was in there laying. She's back on the nest again this evening. I removed the other girls egg and gave her a china egg which she tucked under herself.

She has been laying this week so maybe is wanting a few more eggs under her? She hasn't laid today though.

She is also being bothered by the youngsters I moved down to the enclosure last week. These are the 13 week old growers that my last broody hatched. They have a separate coop to the adults, but they keep going in and bothering her. The young cockeral tried to mate wuth her today while she was dust bathing and she was not impressed.

If I separate her now and put her somewhere quiet is she likely to start sitting properly. She's pulled out loads of her feathers underneath to line the nest with.

If it were me, I'd go for it. Move her at night tho, or she may very well just give up or abandon the nest. If she's still laying, she's not quite in full broody mode, she's still gathering a clutch, however if there are other girls she may be stealing their eggs or they could be laying in her nest too.

 

[RachaelR32]

I've just been down to shut them all up for the night. Looks like its the gold one I'll be moving although she's not being trying to sit as long. The silver one is trying to nest under the roost bar tonight, I can't reach her there. Gold is in the nest box.

I give her eggs in the morning if she's still setting then afterafter moving, is that right? Or shall I leave it an extra day to be sure she's settled there?

 

[mymilliefleur]

mymilliefleur

I like your pictures. If yours are lousy mine must be really bad...lol
Your hens and chicks are lovely. I like all the greenery in the pictures too.
Marie

I am glad you had a good hatch! It is amazing what they can tolerate. ...
Your hens and chicks look happy to be out and exploring.

Thanks! The mamas and chicks are happy to be out exploring.

 

[WildHens]

I've just been down to shut them all up for the night. Looks like its the gold one I'll be moving although she's not being trying to sit as long. The silver one is trying to nest under the roost bar tonight, I can't reach her there. Gold is in the nest box.

I give her eggs in the morning if she's still setting then afterafter moving, is that right? Or shall I leave it an extra day to be sure she's settled there?

I'd move her tonight and if she's still dedicated , add eggs tomorrow night

 

[RachaelR32]

I'd move her tonight and if she's still dedicated , add eggs tomorrow night

Ok, hopefully she'll be settled by tomorrow night. She didn't seem to mind moving tonight. She's got a couple of fake eggs under her now.

 

[katatonic123]

Well DiDi gave up on her babies and was roosting tonight. Found the babies cuddled in a corner. Think I'm glad I have 2 other hens brooding. I just encouraged the babies to go cuddle with Auntie Di or Betty. They are almost feathered out and it's supposed to be fairly warm but I just feel better with them cuddled in for another week or so.

 

[BackyardMarana]

One of my hens went broody but won't stay sitting she did for like half a day then got up but won't stay on the eggs what can I do?

 

[Mommy 2 Wee Ones]

Ramin has not moved, except to turn & poop. Cleaned it up, put fresh shaving in, and refilled her water and food. 7 more days and counting, I only take the cover off at night to check food and water, she just lays flatter and growls. It amazes me how a little Bantie hen can get that flat, and poof out. What surprised me is, Hank our roo has not been looking for her, and she is one of his favorites. She normally stays with her chicks about 2 weeks, and then she is ready to go back to the group. I just keep an eye on her, to make sure she does not get picked on.