Broody & Mean

[Sheckleman]

I have a broody Delaware that started humping my Plymouth Rock and pulling out her feathers. I put her in a separate area of the backyard with her own nesting box. We pull her out of the box 3 times a day for exercise and food. When my Easter egger flew into the Delaware's area she viciously attacked the Egger. It looked like a cock fight. When I was able to pull the Egger away the Delaware was hanging on so tight that she was lifted off the ground. Is this normal behavior for a broody hen? Is there anything I should be doing to help her get back to her sweet self?

 

[RadEggs]

Yes. Mine is not quite as mean, but they can be downright EVIL. Try to break her broodyness. Probably you'll need the chicken jail method. Good luck!

 

[Sheckleman]

Yes. Mine is not quite as mean, but they can be downright EVIL. Try to break her broodyness. Probably you'll need the chicken jail method. Good luck!

Is chicken jail where i put her in a cage with food & water? No more nest box?

 

[rosemarythyme]

You didn't mention if you're trying to hatch or give her chicks or not. If that's the intention, her meanness might be an advantage to help defend the chicks.

If you're not hatching she should be broken for a variety of reasons, but in this case, definitely for peace in the flock.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Is chicken jail where i put her in a cage with food & water? No more nest box?

Yes, it needs to be elevated off the ground a bit to get the air flowing under her. You can put a roost in there if you want just no bedding. She needs to stay in there for 2 days to start, let her out a little before roost time, if she goes to roost it worked, if she goes back to the nest she needs to go back to the clink for a couple more days

 

[Sheckleman]

Thanks everyone for all your help!

 

[PetalandHens]

@Sheckleman Im about to put my broody Faverolle into jail and curious how long your gal took to break?

 

[PetalandHens]

Yes. Mine is not quite as mean, but they can be downright EVIL. Try to break her broodyness. Probably you'll need the chicken jail method. Good luck!

@RadEggs what is average jail sentence in your experience?

 

[rosemarythyme]

@RadEggs what is average jail sentence in your experience?

Not directed at me but usually 2-3 days would be considered average. More stubborn birds may need 4-5 days.

 

[Vee21]

I currently have an almost 2 year old hen (backyard mix) that has gone broody and acting aggressively like a rooster towards the my other hens (Easter Eggers), under a year old. She's even trying to attack my four 2 month old babies (2 frizzled bantam cochin cockerels,1 red sex link pullet and 1 Rhode island pullet). She's currently in chicken jail and there's absolute peace among the flock but once I let the "mean bully" out for exercise she goes straight to terrorize the flock. We are on the second week and I'm at my wits end. I don't know what to do to reform her. Any advice is greatly appreciated.