Broody Hen

[DRGLENNON]

I have 4 laying hens and my red sex link is acting broody. I also have 10 week olds that include 2 cockerels one of which just started crowing. Did the crowing cause Henny Penny to act broody? I feel so bad for her. I don't have fertile eggs to give her yet.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

No the crowing shouldn't have caused that and if you have no fertile eggs and aren't wanting chicks then you should break her.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The crowing most likely didn't cause broodiness. Though there is research that the presence of roosters will cause earlier sexual maturity in pullets.
Don't feel bad, just break her broodiness. Put her in a wire bottom cage off the ground for a couple days and it will be over.
It's best IMHO not to have a first time setter hatch eggs.

 

[Judy]

Probably not.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/encouraging-or-discouraging-broodiness-in-your-hens

 

[DRGLENNON]

Thanks! I'll try that. I just went and checked her. She's sitting on another hens egg and doesn't want to give it up. I'll put her in her own cage.