Broody hen won't stop

[Tracker1045]

My Maran hen started getting broody about 8 days ago. For the last 4 nights I've kept her in the dog crate I've always used (successfully) in the past with her and other hens. Nothing on the crate floor (just the plastic bottom) other than food and water. The first day and a half she ate a bit, pooped twice or so, and when I approached she would start making that weird sound they make when broody and raising her feathers; but now she's just been sitting there motionless, no pooping, nothing, always in the same spot, never gets up or raises her feathers. I'm beginning to worry it's something else (she's probably 7 or more years old). Any thoughts?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Nothing on the crate floor (just the plastic bottom)

Yeah that's the problem. Do you have a dog crate with a wire bottom? She needs to be in something like that where the air can circulate around her bottom to cool her off. That won't happen in a plastic crate. Here's an article that explains it:

Here is @aart's excellent Broody Hen Breaking article:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/broody-breaking-ala-aart.77915/
(R.I.P. aart)

 

[rosemarythyme]

For the last 4 nights I've kept her in the dog crate

For clarification, is she in there day and night, or only nights? She needs to be in there around the clock.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'd take her out and see if I could get her moving about, even if she's grumpy, get her moving.

Check her for lice/mites.

It would be good to get fluids into her too. Sugar water or electrolytes. If she's not having that, then try watermelon or tomato. Once she drinking, see if you can entice her to eat some wet soupy feed.