Broody Hen

[Coturnix Quail]

OP has already tried just separating the hen from the coop/nest boxes and it hasn’t worked so I fail to see how bringing her inside would make a difference.

Please explain what you think is cruel about putting her in a wire bottom cage for a few days or giving her a cold bath. Neither of these techniques does any harm. They might be a bit unpleasant for the hen but it’s important for her own health not to let her stay broody.

OP has already stated that there is no room for new birds and no market to sell them later so she can’t be allowed to brood eggs or raise chicks.

X2

 

[Mrs White]

I have two hens, one that was constantly broody and the other runs at her own shadow. I don't want to say I 'broke' the hen of being broody, but she got tired of my petting her, picking her up, and toting her around. I still notice if I don't pull an egg soon enough she will sit on it, but more times then not when I open the door to gather eggs she scrams almost fast enough to scramble the egg!!

 

[Eggsakly]

Thanks so much for your feedback. She is definitely broody. If she is out of the small cage she will walk around the run and pick up dried grass any flyaway straw even gum leaves and put them on her back. She even picks up bits in the dirt and calls her imaginary babies. It is quite heartbreaking to watch

That is sad.

 

[CJP]

That is sad.

Very sad but I love her so much.....I’m just waiting for her to break the brood and see if the pattern of every 10 days continues then I may just have to relocate her

 

[Little Coop on Salt Creek]

I know the raised crate works too. We have had to break all of our Silkies and one black Australorp using this method. Usually 72 hours and we’re back to normal. One time it did take a Silkie more than one round but I think it was much better than her loosing weight and sitting on chicks in the fall/winter.

 

[st4rgut]

Hi everyone I’m from Australia and was looking for suggestions with my broody hen.

Scully is 14 months old and has been broody 5 times. I tried closing nesting box but that stressed my other 4 hens and my egg production dropped from 130 to 88 in the month. I have been “jailing” her usually lasting a week the last 3 times but she gets clucky again within 10 days. During this time she is still laying.

I worry about the long term effects of this on her body. I go out several times a day to check if the others have all laid so I can close off nesting boxes and let her out but this usually doesn’t happen till about 4 in the afternoon. So for now she is in jail just as much as she is free.

Any suggestions on how to break this vicious cycle would be appreciated.

In my experience you must disrupte the broodiness cycle as early as possible to avoid prolonged broodiness. What usually works for me is putting the broody hen in a dark place , maybe try covering the 'jail' with a blanket? that might quiet her down

 

[EggWalrus]

You could put an ad in the local newspaper for: Super Deluxe Organic Incubator - $150 like new. In great working shape, all parts included. Guaranteed to hatch eggs better than you ever could! No worrying about humidity, and turns eggs automatically! Will even take care of chicks for first 2 months and will teach them to scratch and forage. Not even any need for sterilization between batches of eggs. No batteries required, non-electric, does requires minimal feeding dailey. Serious inquiries only. Call Jr @ BR-549

 

[EggWalrus]

Some girls desire and instinct for procreation is just so stongly ingrained in them that sometimes the best thing to do is just let them raise a clutch of babies now and then. In the near term, production may suffer, but she will give you at least a couple of replacement hens so production will go up long term. As for the roos, they don't eat that much when little and the can forage for themselves when bigger.

PS she will be just as happy sitting on just 6 eggs as she would on 16. If this is the first time you've let her have babies 4-6 would be perfect for both of yall, maybe.
Much good luck and chicken love to you!

 

[nomirawr1]

I have an australorp just like this - She's 3 weeks past abandoning her last chick (who is now 8 weeks old), and the tart is broody again. I've never managed to break her broodiness yet, despite trying many different ways!. I've just given her 12 eggs to hatch and after that I'm going to rehome her, as I simply don't need a super-broody hen. I'd rather pass her on to someone who will use her broody mothering nature, and good mama skills to raise chicks, rather than constantly be trying to 'break' her.

 

[CJP]

You could put an ad in the local newspaper for: Super Deluxe Organic Incubator - $150 like new. In great working shape, all parts included. Guaranteed to hatch eggs better than you ever could! No worrying about humidity, and turns eggs automatically! Will even take care of chicks for first 2 months and will teach them to scratch and forage. Not even any need for sterilization between batches of eggs. No batteries required, non-electric, does requires minimal feeding dailey. Serious inquiries only. Call Jr @ BR-549

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