Broody Hen

[Jan77]

One of my Black Sexlink hens first started laying eggs in July and has now gone broody. For about a week now, she sits on the nest most of the day (not sure about night) even with no eggs; I have removed a couple of eggs from under her. She puffs up if you go in the henhouse but, does not peck at you. She has pulled some feathers for her nest. Problem is, its about to get cold and I did not want baby chicks until the spring. Have been taking her off the nest and placing her near food and water outside. She will scratch and peck in the dirt, drink a little, dusts herself, and goes back to nest. She seems a bit weak. Is there anything I can to to help her get past this broody spell without letting her set on eggs? Any help will be appreciated!

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

One of my Black Sexlink hens first started laying eggs in July and has now gone broody. For about a week now, she sits on the nest most of the day (not sure about night) even with no eggs; I have removed a couple of eggs from under her. She puffs up if you go in the henhouse but, does not peck at you. She has pulled some feathers for her nest. Problem is, its about to get cold and I did not want baby chicks until the spring. Have been taking her off the nest and placing her near food and water outside. She will scratch and peck in the dirt, drink a little, dusts herself, and goes back to nest. She seems a bit weak. Is there anything I can to to help her get past this broody spell without letting her set on eggs? Any help will be appreciated!

If she has been at it a week, I would put some fake eggs under her and let her finish it out. She will only sit for a couple more weeks, then when the eggs dont hatch she should get up. Or if you have friends who want chicks let her hatch out and give the chicks to them to be raised in a brooder.

 

[Chicks Galore3]

you could isolate her with just food and water for awhile. I know my friend did it like that and it only took a week.

 

[Vicky2479]

I just broke a broody by putting her in a separate coop/run with the poop board removed so the air could get in under her and no access to a nest box, it took 3 days. Some people use a wire cage suspended off the floor, the basic idea is allow air to get under her and deny access to a nest, try for a few days then release back in to flock if she is stubborn in may take a few more days. I would also remove the fake eggs and any fresh laid ones too

 

[Nogrodsmithy]

I've been having a simular problem. I have a hen who has been sitting on an empty nest for several days now. I move her, she settles down again. She also keeps moving around (she's nesting on the floor)
It sounds like I'll have to try the sepeation method, not giving her access to the nest/floor.
I'll report back in a few days.

thanks for the information.

 

[MrMahaffy]

I never worry about a broody hen. I let her sit it out for the 21 days (give or take). She leaves the nest and all is well. If you don't want chicks, remove the eggs often and let her sit. She will not starve or dehydrate because she will go eat and drink when she is ready. Their matabolism slows down for brooding so they don't require food and water as often.

 

[Peggy-Sue]

This might seem like a dumb question, but do broody hens have to sit on the nest/eggs to be broody? My welsummer doesn't stay in the coop were the nesting boxes are; however, when shes outside with our other hens it looks like she builds a "nest" and sits in the back corner fluffing her self up. She spends most of the day there in the same spot. When I have treats though she gets up and comes over to me. I don't know what with her like I said in another post she kind of does her own thing and avoids the other hens. We know shes already laying but we are not exactly sure how old. We've only had her for two weeks she we either have a broody hen or a older one.