Do I let her be broody?

[showjumper_girl2002]

I have a hen that has been laying for about a year now and she suddenly decided she wants to go broody. I have 2 other hens that are mature and laying and 4 others that should start within the next month or so. I don't have a rooster so she cant hatch any. I keep taking her out of the nest to no prevail. What is the best way to break her of this or should I just let her do her thing? I can't close off the nest boxes because then my other 2 girls can't use them to lay their eggs. I have 2 nest boxes but they have decided they only like one so she is keeping my other 2 from being able to use it stubborn girls. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Use a wire kennel or make a box with wire bottom. Those fold up wire kennels are easy to find from friends or buy one for 15 bucks at a box store. Some have large bottom openings when you take out the tray so just turn it upside down. Prop it up on some blocks to allow air flow and keep her in it with feed and water for three days. She'll bawk and generally be upset there is no nest for the first day, settle some second and third be broken of the brood but keep her in that whole day too. It's that easy.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

It's better to break her of brood and be done with it if you have no intention of letting her have viable eggs. Brooding is hard on birds and without chicks hatching they can attempt to brood for much longer than normal resulting in dangerous weight loss.

 

[Cleburneslim]

I was going to suggest the same thing that Egghead_Jr. has suggested. The open bottom will cool her off.

 

[showjumper_girl2002]

I would just hate to lock her in a small pen for a few days is there anything else I can try and just do that as a last resort?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Crating her will break her in 2-5 days. It only seems cruel because you don't want to see her in a cage, but while she's broody she's only going to want to sit in the nest box anyway, while not eating or drinking regularly, tearing out her belly feathers, and being generally grumpy and unhappy.

 

[showjumper_girl2002]

I think I've kicked her out of the nest enough that she's given up! She has been out all morning. Hopefully she's forgotten about it lol thank you guys for the tip. If she starts looking like she isn't done I guess I'll have to try the crate