Broody hen won't leave her nest at all

[buttersbrood]

Hello @ChickenCanoe !
Thanks for your reply.
Of course you're right: instinctively I know no chicken would commit suicide by not eating, it goes against any sort of species survival. But, but....
She honestly did not eat for 3 days (we heaped her food, all intact) and no broody poop on the best or in the small run.
I guess it's a matter of trusting she'll eventually get off the nest and eat etc, while at the same time making sure she doesn't waste away. For which I don't have the nerve! Even though I know eventually she'll eat and drink. I guess I'm uncomfortable and don't dare to wait, even though I know you're probably right... Just because it took her 3 days last time, and then WE took her off the nest...

Thank you for your common sense response!

Ps we don't have a wire cage. Might need to source one, but can't find them here in New Zealand?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Hello @ChickenCanoe !
Thanks for your reply.
Of course you're right: instinctively I know no chicken would commit suicide by not eating, it goes against any sort of species survival. But, but....
She honestly did not eat for 3 days (we heaped her food, all intact) and no broody poop on the best or in the small run.
I guess it's a matter of trusting she'll eventually get off the nest and eat etc, while at the same time making sure she doesn't waste away. For which I don't have the nerve! Even though I know eventually she'll eat and drink. I guess I'm uncomfortable and don't dare to wait, even though I know you're probably right... Just because it took her 3 days last time, and then WE took her off the nest...

Thank you for your common sense response!

Occasionally I would put them in a small broody apartment for them and chicks. I just put in fresh bedding, made sure the auto water was functioning and ignored them. Usually there would be a broody poop daily but not all the time. That told me they don't come off every day. They are using so few resources at this time because they are so immobile and don't need nearly as much food.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Ps we don't have a wire cage. Might need to source one, but can't find them here in New Zealand?

virtually anything will work as long as they can't get their underside plopped down on a solid surface. Cool air has to reach their underside to break the hormone cycle.
A metal dog crate will work. Or make your own from a simple wood frame and a roll of welded/woven wire fencing. We always made our own with scraps from around the farm. It doesn't have to be pretty, just keep them off the ground. We had about 4 of them hanging from the cieling of the hen house that was home to 100 Leghorn hens. It seemed like there was always a couple hens up there in jail. Small containers for food and water and the bird was all that was in there.
Hundreds of years ago, they made them out of sticks, laths of wood and lashing. I occasionally see some like that at our old farmer's market.
I have a big dog kennel I use now but I usually let them raise chicks.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

All that said, everyone has to do what they feel is best for their birds. They're not my birds, I was just saying you didn't have to do it. When I got my first broody as an adult, I used to pull her off because I had no fertile eggs. I even put Ice in the nest. Then I remembered the broody jail cages we had when I was younger. All was good after that. I chose if I wanted chicks or not.

 

[buttersbrood]

virtually anything will work as long as they can't get their underside plopped down on a solid surface. Cool air has to reach their underside to break the hormone cycle.
A metal dog crate will work. Or make your own from a simple wood frame and a roll of welded/woven wire fencing. We always made our own with scraps from around the farm. It doesn't have to be pretty, just keep them off the ground. We had about 4 of them hanging from the cieling of the hen house that was home to 100 Leghorn hens. It seemed like there was always a couple hens up there in jail. Small containers for food and water and the bird was all that was in there.
Hundreds of years ago, they made them out of sticks, laths of wood and lashing. I occasionally see some like that at our old farmer's market.
I have a big dog kennel I use now but I usually let them raise chicks.

Great idea. You've inspired me to make my own. Lots of scrap bits of wood lying around, and I've just thought of the large pet carrier with a metal wire door that's come off. That would be the perfect floor. Thanks @ChickenCanoe

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x @ChickenCanoe Best broody breaker is Broody Jaill; wire dog cage, wire bottom, air circulation all the way around. Pulling them off was exercise for me, never worked. I couldn't bring myself to try the ice cubes, didn't want a wet nest box & felt the chill.

 

[Henfla]

My broody hen don't go off her nest either. I lift her off once a day so that she drinks and take a quick dust bath and poops. She eats very little and don't eat regular chicken food at all. She only eats a little seeds for wild birds, some fruit (especially grapes) if i cut it up in tiny pieces and I try to feed her a little scrambeled eggs every other day. It's a little more one week to go before the eggs hatch, and she is more tired now than before. I worry for her alot.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

I have a brooding duck at the moment, I make her eat by taking the nest basket out while I clean and she eats. She lost so much weight I would rather do this as I understand the 'nature knows best', but recall maternal mortality is real and sometimes intervention means a better outcome for the mom. Nature favors the baby's life over the mother's life.