Help! Broody chicken

[ubumartin]

I have a very broody chicken. This is my first one. She has been broody for a week. We keep trying to kick her off the nest but she goes right back on. I am nervous because the others are not laying because she wont get out of the nest box. I also broke my ankle and it is my kids and husband doing this. I feel so helpless that I can't get out there to help her through this. I only have 3 hens. I am nervous that she will not eat or drink enough. How long will this last?

 

[FisherMOM]

If you have a dog crate..put her in there. I tried it with 2 at the same time. each in their own dog crate.. no nest. One broke, and one did not. SO you have a 50/50 chance of that working.

I am in NY and have 2 broodies right now. Seeing as the temps are barely hitting 20, I am happy I have them.
They keep the eggs from freezing before I can get to them each day. (and some days they stay in the same
nest box together. must be warm that way for them too! haha ) silly birds!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'll give this link to you. It should help. Good luck!

Break a Broody Thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2176186#p2176186

 

[carolynb]

Hi neighbor!! We just had a broody that would not quit - she stayed on the nest for 3 weeks!! So we got her some eggs to hatch and now have 4 - 5 week old silkie chicks

They are really cute!! Hope you can break her of her broodiness! Good luck!!

 

[Keara]

I would get her a few chicks, slip them under her at night. I promise she will stop being broody!

 

[ubumartin]

Quote:
Thanks for the advice. I would love to have her hatch some, but I have a small coop, just big enough and sometimes tight for the 3 I have already. My daughter did get her out in the pen and close the coop door for about an hour today and we are going to try to do it everyday. She does seem to be eating today. I feel so bad for her. I think it is because I haven't been able to do what I normally do for them. I usually get them out into a kennel every day but since I broke my ankle, I haven't had them out in over a week. Thanks for the advice. I love silkies, maybe someday I will have a big enough set up to get some.

 

[ubumartin]

Quote:
My coop is too small, I would love to have her hatch one or two but I would need a bigger coop before I did that. I just have a converted dog house for the 3 buff orpington's. It is a tight squeeze for the 3 now. Hopefully I will get a better set up this spring when my leg is better. I would love to have some new babies!!!

 

[ubumartin]

Quote:
Thanks for the link! I am going to check it out and see what we can do. I feel bad for her, I know she would make a great mommy!