Broody Wars!!

[Vanilla Gorilla]

Here's my situation: I have 7 hens of various breeds. They have 3 nest boxes to share. This arrangement has worked out fine until recently because of the aforementioned broody wars. It all started with a Cuckoo Marans hen named Sprinkles. She decided she wanted to hatch eggs, even if there were no eggs to hatch. I thought I could wait her out. After 5 weeks, I gave in and bought her some fertilized eggs to hatch. She seemed positively delighted.

Problem is now, her flock mates Skittles (another Cuckoo Marans) and Pretzel( a Golden Laced Wyandotte - who is now on her 4th, yes 4th broody stint of the year) also want to hatch eggs. Needless to say, this has produced a number of problems. The biggest one seems to be that of the three nest boxes, only two seem to be suitable for brooding. So there is constant fighting among the broodies as to who gets to sit where.

The added twist to this is that the other 4 hens still need to lay eggs, so there is all manner of interesting things going on: eggs laid on top of broodies, broodies being pooped on, pecking/plucking issues, etc.

I'd like to let Sprinkles hatch her eggs - I think she's so determined at this point, that's the only way to snap her out of it. I don't have space or equipment to break a broody - any other methods or suggestions? Or do I need to invest in a broody jail? I'm just getting into my second year of chicken raising, and the first time I've had to battle it out with broody hens!

Thanks in advance!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

YES! Invest in a broody jail.... and maybe rehome the gal that's on her 4th stint this year... that's excessive in my book. And if I couldn't rehome, might send her to freezer camp.

And for God's sake... get your broody that's been that way for almost an eternity... some good nutrition (if on layer)... Higher protein and less calcium... you will need to anyways once chicks hatch. Give her some scrambled egg... Brooding is super taxing on the body... I would expect at least a mini molt by the time she boots chicks if they hatch.

Hatching eggs ISN'T the only way to snap ANY broody out of it. You have to be more determined than they are and stick to your guns... IF it's important to you.

Locking a hen ANYWHERE away from her chosen nest without bedding to make a nest... WILL break them. In a spare bathroom, a dog kennel... anything you can think of... anywhere that is safe from predators and no danger of over heating. Some take longer than others.

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

YES! Invest in a broody jail.... and maybe rehome the gal that's on her 4th stint this year... that's excessive in my book. And if I couldn't rehome, might send her to freezer camp.

And for God's sake... get your broody that's been that way for almost an eternity... some good nutrition (if on layer)... Higher protein and less calcium... you will need to anyways once chicks hatch. Give her some scrambled egg... Brooding is super taxing on the body... I would expect at least a mini molt by the time she boots chicks if they hatch.

Hatching eggs ISN'T the only way to snap ANY broody out of it. You have to be more determined than they are and stick to your guns... IF it's important to you.

Locking a hen ANYWHERE away from her chosen nest without bedding to make a nest... WILL break them. In a spare bathroom, a dog kennel... anything you can think of... anywhere that is safe from predators and no danger of over heating. Some take longer than others.

Thanks for the reply! I didn't realize HOW STUBBORN these dang birds would be when I got into chickens a couple of springs ago. I realize hatching eggs isn't the only way, but I kinda wanted to hatch some so I talked myself into it. I'll admit, I blinked first when playing the proverbial game of chicken.....with a chicken. I just didn't realize that broodiness was so contagious!