Broody hen?

[Chickeroo63]

Hi
I have a 6 month old silkie hen who has been laying for about a month. Over the weekend she laid an egg an sat on it all day. I left her because the roosters keep her running. I thought she was avoiding them. the next morning she left the coop with the other chickens and went into the run so I removed the egg. For the last 2 days she has been sitting in the nest with no egg. She seems otherwise normal. Is she broody? Should I put her egg back under her? Any advice appreciated.

 

[nuthatched]

Probably broody, it's a little late in the year for it so I'd break it and not give her any eggs.

 

[Chickeroo63]

Probably broody, it's a little late in the year for it so I'd break it and not give her any eggs.

This is my first flock. I've never had a broody hen. What is the best way to break her in your opinion?

 

[nuthatched]

This is my first flock. I've never had a broody hen. What is the best way to break her in your opinion?

If you have wite dog cage, put it up on something so there's are flow so she can cool off, or keep taking her out of the nest and block it off once everyone is done laying.

 

[WIchickMama]

I think it depends on what you want, most would break her due to winter coming, but some would let her hatch IF you have room and the capabilities to take over if she walks away from motherhood or the babies need extra cate. I just had a broody hatch this past weekend, we are in the 50s and lows in the 30s for the next few weeks-just like spring but headed into winter not summer. Mama should keep them warm enough

 

[Chickeroo63]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will start by removing her from the nest and go from there.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Setting up a broody breaker: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/broody-breaking-ala-aart.77915/