Did I just break my broody hen?

[chicknjane]

I have my first broody hen. This evening I removed her from the coop and put her in a crate with the eggs I picked out for her to hatch. I was just collecting eggs as usual not intending to let her set, but I found someone who will care for her while we are on vacation, so I figured why not. I had collected eggs earlier this evening so when I moved her she wasn't actually setting on any eggs. I keep eggs on the counter and just use them from the basket, so I picked about 8 eggs for her to set on.

Since putting her in the crate, she has been losing her mind and won't stay on the eggs. Is this normal? Will she eventually calm down and set on the eggs or did I just break her broodiness?

This is a first for me so I'm a little anxious. My DH refuses to let me by a bator because we have 37 "incubators" sitting in the coops already, so I'm just all to happy to have a broody hen.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Was she still setting in the nest box, even though there were no eggs under her, when you moved her? If so, that will increase your chances that she'll settle in to set again in the new location. Each hen seems to have her own component of broody skills, some can be moved & will continue to set more easily than others. I find it ideal to move the hen well after dark. Some hens will resist the move, but if you keep the new location dimly lit/well-shaded for a day or two they may settle in. If she continues to fuss after a few days, then let the poor dear out & try again at another time.

 

[Sock Puppet]

I just did the same thing today. She isnt in the nest

Hopefully tomarrow she will change her mind and get back in the nest.

So I would like to know too.

 

[chicks4kids]

I was in the same boat as you last night...literally. She was broody, when I moved her, she quit. Refused to lay on those eggs.....so I put her in the coop with the other last night.....

This morning before I let the chickens out, I filled her nest spot with new eggs, and when I opened them up, she ran straight to the eggs....not my place of choice for a nesting area....

So tonight my husband and I moved her to her new designated broody house complete with nest box and all.....and I closed her in (it's a cardboard box) and taped the front over the box with an arch of an airhole....I was assured that now, it's a battle of the wills and she WILL sit on those eggs once she knows the spot is safe.....And I was for sure that I killed her broodiness as well last night.........

Have patience...she'll come around...when she does, start your countdown........she's broody, and once she feels safe, she'll sit

 

[chicknjane]

Well, its been about an hour and a half now and she finally stopped squawking. I can still hear her moving around. I covered the kennel up so she's not bothered or distracted by anything. I pulled her out of the nesting box tonight after the lights switched off and brought her into the house.

Right now it actually sounds like she might be moving the eggs around in the nest.

I guess I'll know by tomorrow morning if she is still committed to this.

It seems like February is the time for broody hens. I've noticed this has been the topic du jour.

 

[Sock Puppet]

I just moved mine back on the nest. And pushed her down till she was sitting on the golfball/egg that is in there. Its dark so hopefully she wont move.

 

[Mandalina]

i am glad i am not the only one going thru this! My silkie went broody 4 days ago and so far has abandoned 2 different sets of eggs. First ones she seemed to forget she was supposed to sit on them, then freaked when i did take them since they were ice cold. seconds she quit after i put her and them in the crate last night.
so, today she was sitting on 2 more eggs and one of my larger hens pecked her in the back so she started bleeding which then caused other chickens to peck her and she refused to leave the nesting box and eggs. so back into the crate she goes with the eggs.
last check an hour ago she was sitting on them sleeping thankfully.

 

[Sock Puppet]

Quote:
Hopefully she will stay there.

That is what I am hoping with mine

 

[Sunny Side Up]

This is one reason why I wait until I know the hen really is broody & will stick with the job before I put the eggs I want hatched under her. Until then I keep her inspired with fake eggs, golf balls, or a few bantam eggs. Most of my broody hens are bantams but I don't want to hatch out any more of them. So I'll let them set on their little eggs until I've got them settled in their brooding box, then swap out those eggs for the standard-size ones I want to hatch instead.

We like to watch the hens tuck the new eggs up underneath them, then wriggle back & forth to settle the eggs in place. The kids call it "The Chickie Cha-Cha" and will chant "Chickie-chickie cha-CHA!" until the hen is finished.

 

[jnkir7]

0 Tried For Two Weeks To Break Mine, She Still Keeps Getting On Eggs ,so I Gave In And Gave Her Eggs Now Shes Happy. I Just Was Afraid Of Having Chicks In Cold Weather