hens won't get off nest

[sutillman]

I have two silkie hens that are sitting on nest all the time, night and day. Problem is there are no eggs in the nest they are sitting in. The eggs are always in another nest. Why would they be sitting on empty nest when there are eggs to sit on? I've been taking them out when I get home from work and making them walk around and eat. One of the hens just sits on the ground with her butt in the air and her wings fluffed out for about five minutes and then off she goes. Ten minutes later they are both back on empty nest. Any suggestions?

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

You've got some broodies, you've got some broodies! Aren't they silly when they do that? If you have eggs to hatch you can put them under them and give them something to do.

 

[Mrs.Puff]

They've picked out their spots and want to stay there. Give them some eggs. BUT you do need to move them out of the nest boxes into their own private quarters. Eggs can get broken when the others are able to get in there. Chickens have a bad habit of trying to lay their eggs in the nest of a hen who already has a clutch. Fights can ensue, eggs can break.

 

[sutillman]

Just thought it strange they wouldn't set on available eggs. If you're going to be in there, might as well make yourself useful ya know?

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

My silkies get very particular about where they want to sit, too. i have a couple that will go to where the eggs are, but others that just pick a nest and that's it. My bantam cochin is currently being broody on a shelf in the coop - no eggs, just trying to hatch that flat spot of wood.

 

[Elly]

I have three hens that are very broody...I don't want them to be though...four weeks later still acting the same way...when will this stop !!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Quote:
It will stop when you make it stop. The best way to break a broody is to lock her in a cage with a wire bottom off the ground. The cool air on her bottom helps. Give her food and water but do not give her a nest or any nesting material. In three or four days, she should no longer be broody.

If you don't have a cage with a wire bottom, just lock her up somewhere so she cannot get back to her nest. It needs to be light, not dark. You do not need to starve her or make her thirsty. For her own health, you do need to break her if you are not going to hatch eggs.

Good luck!

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. BROODY.......

 

[cariboujaguar]

will they stay broody forever until tey starve or something? Will hens go broody even if they don't have a roo around?

 

[chickenlittle32]

Yes they will go broody even with no roo. They will set on golfballs if ya let em lol Put em in a wire cage with no bedding for a couple of days...that should stop them....keyword, should. LOL