Broody hen

[sw33tp3a]

Ok, so I've removed the nesting material, blocked off upstairs so she can't get to the laying boxes & she's still in brood mood. I've been getting her out of the coop so she can "play" in the yard & she just wants to go right back in. She hasn't laid an egg in almost a week and I didn't leave eggs in the nest when she laid them. How much longer is this going to go on? Is there something I can do to help her get back to the sweet hen she was a few weeks ago.

Also, I got rid of the rooster yesterday after he chased me around the yard & I had to kick him to get him off of me. I'm beginning to think chicken raisin ain't all it's cracked up to be.

 

[DanielleinLA]

You can try keeping her in a large pet carrier (no bedding) for several days but make sure you check her food/water often throughout the day.
That's a bummer about your roo, some animals just a more aggressive than others. Dont be dismayed, some roo's are sweet.
I had to let my broody hen hatch fertile eggs to get her to lay again. Probably would have been easier to just re-home my broody hen. Some people actually want broody hens. Best of luck!

 

[ChickensRDinos]

My cochin is broody often. You can try breaking her in a wire bottom cage but you are really fighting her nature. I give mine a fake egg and let her be. You can put a little bowl of water by her. She will come down and eat when she needs to, which is not very often. It usually lasts about 3 weeks ish and is another week or so before she starts laying again.

 

[sw33tp3a]

You can try keeping her in a large pet carrier (no bedding) for several days but make sure you check her food/water often throughout the day.
That's a bummer about your roo, some animals just a more aggressive than others. Dont be dismayed, some roo's are sweet.
I had to let my broody hen hatch fertile eggs to get her to lay again. Probably would have been easier to just re-home my broody hen. Some people actually want broody hens. Best of luck!

She's not interested in food, water or much of anything lately but I do make sure she has a food & water. What do you mean "re-home"? Actually find a new home for her? Maybe I'll give her golf balls to sit on as we have no fertile eggs.

 

[DanielleinLA]

Yeah that's what I was thinking...but of course thats only if you want to! I know some hens go broody over and over, so 'breaking her' of the habit once might not stop it forever. Only reason mine stopped was because I let her raise chicks who still live side by side with her. So far she hasn't gone back to nesting yet.

 

[sw33tp3a]

Yeah that's what I was thinking...but of course thats only if you want to! I know some hens go broody over and over, so 'breaking her' of the habit once might not stop it forever. Only reason mine stopped was because I let her raise chicks who still live side by side with her. So far she hasn't gone back to nesting yet.

Maybe I'll just wait it out & hope she comes round. This can't go on forever, can it? I'm thinking of getting another hen to keep Sugar company now that I've gotten rid of the roo. But then, that's even more $$ invested in this venture. I'm pretty disenchanted.

Glad your girl is happy now that she is raising chicks. Thanks for your encouragement.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Is your hen all alone? Chickens are very social and do better in groups. It would be good to get another hen if you want to stick with chickens. She is going to struggle alone and will be too cold in the winter if it is even a little cold where you live.

Broodiness is a temporary behavior. It will last about 3 weeks then she will stop and go back to her normal behavior. What breed is she? Some breeds tend to go broody more often then others. My cochin goes broody about 3 times a year. My leghorn is almost 3 years old and has never gone broody.

If you do not want this behavior and decide to get a second hen pick a breed that not prone to as much broodiness.

What else has you disenchanted with your chicken experience?

 

[sw33tp3a]

Is your hen all alone? Chickens are very social and do better in groups. It would be good to get another hen if you want to stick with chickens. She is going to struggle alone and will be too cold in the winter if it is even a little cold where you live.

Broodiness is a temporary behavior. It will last about 3 weeks then she will stop and go back to her normal behavior. What breed is she? Some breeds tend to go broody more often then others. My cochin goes broody about 3 times a year. My leghorn is almost 3 years old and has never gone broody.

If you do not want this behavior and decide to get a second hen pick a breed that not prone to as much broodiness.

What else has you disenchanted with your chicken experience?

Yes, she is alone & exactly the reason I want to get her a friend. We live in Central FL so we do a few days of cold weather. I don't know what breed she is, I'll try to attach a pic. What type of hen is not prone to broodiness?

It's good to know that Sugar will get back to her normal behavior & I don't have to find a new home for her. She really is a sweet little thing & I do enjoy her. I feel better knowing her attitude is temporary and that a different breed may be a wonderful addition. Thank you for your advise.