Broody

[Ashieschickenfarm]

Hey so I’m not sure if this goes here but what’s the best way to deal with broody hens?

 

[DemeterAD9]

The first 2 broodys I had I let hatch eggs, both went broody again once their first group of chicks was weaned and I let one hatch a few more eggs. The other I just let go through the motions of broodiness minus the eggs/chicks. I let a 3rd hen go broody and left her to her own devices as well. When left to be broody they eventually give up but it seems to take 4-5 weeks of sitting as opposed to the 3 weeks of sitting on and hatching fertile eggs. Of course it is natural for a hen to go broody but after a while it can affect their health, even more so if they are repeat offenders. Some can be so persistently broody that they become emaciated.

Should I have broken them of their broodiness rather than letting them sit? Yes I probably should have but I didn't have a solid way of doing it. You want to pen them up but not in a particularly comfortable spot or they will just sit in a quiet corner and continue being broody. A lot of people break them from being broody in a dog kennel, keeping them there for a few days and then returning them to the flock.

 

[Anon112]

Hey so I’m not sure if this goes here but what’s the best way to deal with broody hens?

You mean you want her to stop being broody?

For me, I start with the least intense methods and then go from there.

For some hens, taking eggs away and repeatedly removing them from the nest will work after a day or two.

If that doesn't work, you can put them in a different setting like a crate for a day or two.

There are methods you can use to lower their body temperatures (like putting them in room temperature water or using cool packs), but use these with caution to not harm or distress the hen too much.

There are several threads on how to break a broody hen if you search.

 

[rosemarythyme]

In case you're looking to break her: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/broody-breaking-ala-aart.77915/

If breaking her isn't the goal then clarify what info you need.