Broody Hen

[modenacart]

I have a black Australop hen that has gone broody and we have not fertilized eggs. I take all the eggs out of the box and she still sits. We even kicked her out of the hen house and she will just sit on the ground. Not sure if we should put fertilized eggs under her or just wait it out.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You need to either break her or give her some eggs. Being broody can be hard on a hen.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2176186#p2176186

 

[susiestozz]

Hi there - we have had the same problem with our girl for going on 4 weeks. Stays in the coup, we lift her out to eat - she just sits on ground then after food is FRANTIC to sit back on an empty nest.

I entered the live chat here at this (fab) forum and the two main responses were: she will grow out of it and - get her some eggs. Which we have done today. We bought I think a rabbit hutch with separate nesting box and a little enclosed run and our little Maggie is sat on her nest with 4 big fertilised eggs - chicken heaven! We have put food and water in there too for during the day when we are working.

Our chicken run is separated into 2 parts so Maggie is in her own little area
away from the others and she seems happy - here's to the next 3 weeks!

We didn't want to give her eggs but in the end we thought we'd try (and at least break this dilemma she's in!) This is her 2nd broody spell but the 1st only lasted a week.

But it's up to you. If it continues, why not try her with some eggs if you can? Like all the other guys on this forum said, she will do all the work and raise them babies all on her own!! Good Luck!!

 

[bobeena]

Our buff orpington goes broody two or three times a year. Once we let her hatch out some eggs. Otherwise I just keep the eggs picked up that she's trying to sit on (eggs from our other hens) and then slip a frozen water bottle into the nest. I read that on this forum somewhere. When I see her in the box, I just take her out and put her outside. A few days of this and she stops being broody.