Broody hen!

[Layla_Chickens]

I while back I posted about my broody hen and how she was so eager to hatch. Since that day she has still been broody and I have no Idea what to do. I have taken her eggs then have let her laid them, i've separated her then put her back, I've even hand fed her in fear that she'll starve. She does come out her nesting box to eat and drink, but when you feel her crop its not as full as it should be. She's my nicest hen and is a silkie and gamefowl mix (i know pretty weird) Is there ANYTHING else I can do? its been months and she still doesn't give up.

I have also noticed she has lost feather on her head and her neck, I have no idea how they just disappeared.( she does live with 2 other hens and a possible rooster, but they are so calm I doubt they would ever attack her, she's the one who would.)

Thank you please help!

 

[sourland]

Remove her from the nest site and cage her until she breaks broodiness. 'Months' of setting is extremely debilitating.

 

[Mountain Roost]

I second this. You have to take the nest away and put her in a wire cage. I use a separate mini coop that has a roost because it can take the hen some time.

 

[McChooky]

Its a good idea to weigh your broody hens when they go broody and again in 21 days . This is the only way of knowing the total weight loss (Some will actually starve to death if you don't break them in a wire cage) Don't give her any bedding that makes her comfortable because its the cooling effect on her belly that breaks her.She needs special attention after you break her if you want to save her

 

[McChooky]

Its a good idea to weigh your broody hens when they go broody and again in 21 days . This is the only way of knowing the total weight loss (Some will actually starve to death if you don't break them in a wire cage) Don't give her any bedding that makes her comfortable because its the cooling effect on her belly that breaks her.She needs special attention after you break her if you want to save her

If she went broody 1.5 weeks prior to your April 6 post she's been broody 47 days and counting

 

[Mercyr79]

Its a good idea to weigh your broody hens when they go broody and again in 21 days . This is the only way of knowing the total weight loss (Some will actually starve to death if you don't break them in a wire cage) Don't give her any bedding that makes her comfortable because its the cooling effect on her belly that breaks her.She needs special attention after you break her if you want to save her

Hi. What kind of special attention is needed after? We are about to cage our broody hen today, she is looking really thin. Unfortunately we are going out of town on Sunday morning for a week and I’m concerned about her….