Determined broody

[Rogue-Feathers]

My brahma hen Sonia has been broody since last month! Last year I put eggs under but none were sucessfull and she had not been looking after herself she had not been eating or drinking in the entire time the eggs were under her. 4 were fertile but were not only late the eggs were stone cold so would not have hatched anyway. She herself was not in great shape she had food and water fresh nearby everyday but did not eat in that time and was really underweight at the end of it so I don't want to try again.

She is very docile and only shows signs of aggresion when she is in the run as I have been popping her into make sure she is gets food and water but again she is going thin! I won't to dis courage her from being broody as humanely as possible but how? The only thing I can think of so far is just taking her off the nest and putting her in the run with others but she will often go straight back to the coop to her nest. She calls to her babies when she is out side and will have a go at the other hens if they get to close as she thinks they want her babies! Even free range she makes her way back down the garden after a dust bath to go and sit on her nest.

She is pretty determined to sit on eggs!

 

[thebanthams]

I had to be a tough mother to her ! I had to make her get out once in a while to eat and poop. Broody hens are unpredictible ! I find that If I want her to sit on eggs, is leave eggs alone, if you have to give her fertilized eggs, put it in her nest after dark.