Our 5 month old brown sex links just started laying 2 weeks ago. We have three of them (and one Sultan hen). We have found 4-5 eggs so far--thinking they were probably going to lay more, but were just getting started. My daughters just ran into the house shouting "We found a LOT of eggs, we found a lot of eggs!" They are only 3 and 5 so "a lot" to them could be debatable, but when I got out there, sure enough...... There was one of the hens, IN the tomato garden, sitting on top of SEVEN eggs. Obviously, she looked all broody. I couldn't believe it. Crazy hen. What do I do now? All the other eggs have been laid in the nesting box. We have 2 boxes between 4 hens, so I'm pretty sure it's not a space issue. Will she get over her broodiness? Guess we're having eggs for breakfast tomorrow.
I have two hens that go broody. In the past I've tried different things to get them out of it. Nothing worked. So, now I just let them sit it out. It lasts for weeks, even two months or more. Then they get up, lay more eggs, about 10 or so, then start brooding all over again.
She will get over the broodiness in 2-4 days IF you keep her away from any nests and nesting material. If she spots another nest she'll probably start all over. A lot of folks put them in a dog crate until they get over it. I'd be careful eating those eggs, they could be pretty old, and at broody temp for that long?
