Hen won't get off nest.

[Cockledoo]

I have a 1 1/2 yr old hen that I have had for 6 mos. She has NEVER sat on a nest longer than it took her to lay an egg. All of a sudden she has been sitting on the nest for two days, is that normal?

 

[Perris]

sounds like she's gone broody. Is she flattened out in there, and does she growl at anyone/ thing that approaches?

 

[City Farmer Jim]

The experience I have had with broody hen is "put her in chicken jail" it sounds harsh BUT it is best for her and her health. A broody hen will set on the nest and not eat or drink while there. If you have an "isolation area/cage" put her in it...no nest or nesting material just food and water. It can take anywhere from 3 to 5 days to break her. I know I know...it seems extremely harsh and is/was the hardest thing we have had to do, even with some of the accidents emergencies we have had.

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

Yes she is flattened out and VERY grumpy. I do not know if she has eggs under her, I dont disturb her do I ?? What do I do now?

Does sound like she’s broody. I would check under her for eggs.
Do you have a rooster? If so, you could let her hatch chicks out. However, it’s a bit late in the season, so it’s up to you. If you do decide to break her, I would do as City Farmer Jim said. A wire bottomed cage works best, so she can’t decide to set on no eggs.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Do you want her to hatch some chicks? If so, you can move her to a safe spot. But if you don't want more chicks or have the room for them. I would disturb her.

 

[aart]

but this thread claims there is a faster, easier way https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/did-i-just-stop-broody-hens-so-easily.1311542/

That was brilliant......but could affect the other layers, I prefer a more direct route.
If you don't want her to hatch out chicks, IMO it's best to break her broodiness promptly.

My experience goes about like this: After her setting for 3 days and nights in the nest (or as soon as I know they are broody), I put her in a wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller wire on the bottom but no bedding, set up on a couple of 4x4's right in the coop or run with feed and water.

I used to let them out a couple times a day, but now just once a day in the evening(you don't have to) and she would go out into the run, drop a huge turd, race around running, take a vigorous dust bath then head back to the nest... at which point I put her back in the crate. Each time her outings would lengthen a bit, eating, drinking and scratching more and on the 3rd afternoon she stayed out of the nest and went to roost that evening...event over, back to normal tho she didn't lay for another week or two. Or take her out of crate daily very near roosting time(30-60 mins) if she goes to roost great, if she goes to nest put her back in crate.

Tho not necessary a chunk of 2x4 for a 'roost' was added to crate floor after pic was taken.

 

[City Farmer Jim]

Sounds broody to me also...is she setting on an egg(s)? My orpington that goes broody will Brussel up her feathers and growl and look like a turkey...she is a funny girl.

 

[Cockledoo]

Yes she is flattened out and VERY grumpy. I do not know if she has eggs under her, I dont disturb her do I ?? What do I do now?

 

[Cockledoo]

Thank you, and yes we do not want chicks. Appreciate all the good advice, I feel alot better.

 

[City Farmer Jim]

Its the things that aren't explained when you ask about keeping chickens..we at Snowflake Farm had to learn from the awesome people here at BYC...we are glad we could help.