broody hens

[fos]

What do people think of breaking up broody hens? I honestly feel sorry for my silkies that go broody. Their efforts are always in vain and I just wish that they were outside enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. My husband says it's a natural process and I should just leave them be--not that I've ever been successful in breaking them up anyway.

 

[meriruka]

I think you should break them up if they are not going to hatch anything. It has to be hard on them physically to sit all day and only get up once or twice to eat.
I'm letting my three hatch some eggs, they seem to be taking turns except for one who does not move. I have to pick her up and put her in front of the food/water.
She was tiny enough to begin with, now she's loosing weight, she may disappear altogether......
They have 11 more days to go.

In the past to break them up, I would pick them up and carry them around, block off the nest, and remove anything that looks remotely like an egg.