Broody hen. What can I do?

[BigBlueHen53]

A broody hen wants to sit quietly in a trance and for the most part, doesn't experience stress during the cooling period.
We used to keep 100 leghorns in a large henhouse with a high roof. We always had about 3 homemade cages hanging from the cieling of the henhouse. It seemed like there were always a couple hens, give or take, serving jail time. They never seemed stressed and none that I have had elevated in the years since ever exhibited much stress till they were cured and started pacing.
You are fortunate that removing eggs has worked for you. I've never experienced that. They usually just continue to sit patiently awaiting one of their flockmates to give them more eggs.
Perhaps she wasn't that dedicated to the process in the first place.

@ChickenCanoe probably has more experience with chickens than all of us put together as he is an instructor and knows what he is talking about. I have used the elevated cage method with good results and found that it generally takes about three days. I did take a shortcut this summer with one of my persistently broody BOs. I cooled off her breast muscles and nether regions with a bath in a cool pool, which she seemed to enjoy, before putting her into the cage. I repeated it the following day and then released her to forage with the flock. She did not return to her broody nest. I used that method again on a different hen, also a BO, with similar results. These three-year old BO and a third one kept going broody, however, and I eventually culled them for the freezer.

 

[Cinnamon Roll]

@ChickenCanoe probably has more experience with chickens than all of us put together as he is an instructor and knows what he is talking about. I have used the elevated cage method with good results and found that it generally takes about three days. I did take a shortcut this summer with one of my persistently broody BOs. I cooled off her breast muscles and nether regions with a bath in a cool pool, which she seemed to enjoy, before putting her into the cage. I repeated it the following day and then released her to forage with the flock. She did not return to her broody nest. I used that method again on a different hen, also a BO, with similar results. These three-year old BO and a third one kept going broody, however, and I eventually culled them for the freezer.

I recently bought some broody hens so
I can grow my flock next summer. Those of you with unwanted broodies can try to find a buyer locally. You might make someone’s day

 

[Ilovesilkiechickens1]

@ChickenCanoe probably has more experience with chickens than all of us put together as he is an instructor and knows what he is talking about. I have used the elevated cage method with good results and found that it generally takes about three days. I did take a shortcut this summer with one of my persistently broody BOs. I cooled off her breast muscles and nether regions with a bath in a cool pool, which she seemed to enjoy, before putting her into the cage. I repeated it the following day and then released her to forage with the flock. She did not return to her broody nest. I used that method again on a different hen, also a BO, with similar results. These three-year old BO and a third one kept going broody, however, and I eventually culled them for the freezer.

I’m going to repeat myself. I am not going to put my animal in a cage for three days. You can do what you want, but I’m not going to put my animal through that. I removed her eggs and it worked in less time than your methods. I care about my animals and will never do that. Also I don’t care whether Chicken Canoe is a chicken instructor or not. I disagree with their method.

 

[aart]

I’m not going to put my animal in an elevated cage. I’m not going to do that. I’m going to disagree with you and say that it probably causes stress.

They don't have to be way up in the air.....just a little bit 4".
Not that stressful.

Those of you with unwanted broodies can try to find a buyer locally.

I gave away a serial broody, she never went broody again.

 

[aart]

I removed the eggs and it worked.

She is all good and back to her normal self again. Thanks!

This is rare...and probably won't be long lived.

 

[Ilovesilkiechickens1]

They don't have to be way up in the air.....just a little bit 4".
Not that stressful.
View attachment 2410023

I gave away a serial broody, she never went broody again.

I’m not changing my mind. I feel bad for that chicken. You’re welcome to stop posting.

 

[MamaStacey]

I have a broody hen right now too. If you don't want her to hatch them, please do away with them now. Don't prolong the experience with her. Take them now and let her get back to normal before the cold really sets in!

 

[Ilovesilkiechickens1]

I have a broody hen right now too. If you don't want her to hatch them, please do away with them now. Don't prolong the experience with her. Take them now and let her get back to normal before the cold really sets in!

Thank you for the response. I have already stated that I have taken the eggs and she is back to normal.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

24 hours in, you are probably good.
Bless you child. I won't be providing any more advice.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I’m going to repeat myself. I am not going to put my animal in a cage for three days. You can do what you want, but I’m not going to put my animal through that. I removed her eggs and it worked in less time than your methods. I care about my animals and will never do that. Also I don’t care whether Chicken Canoe is a chicken instructor or not. I disagree with their method.

Oh, perhaps there is a misunderstanding. We do not leave her there three days non-stop. We let her out to exercise, poop, dust-bathe. If she then runs right back to the nest, we know she is not done being broody. It is a large enough crate that she can move around, probably more than she would while on the nest, and she is where she can see and hear her flock mates. She also has her own supply of food, fresh water and grit. I usually let her out twice a day. Of course you must do what you feel is best, but none of us would do anything abusive to our hens.