Hi,This is Patty

[pattyvealey]

One of my hens have been brooding for 3 weeks now.Is this unusual and should I make her come outside off the nesting box a couple of times a day at least?? Thank you

 

[Percheron chick]

She does come off the nest daily to poop, drink and eat. Is she sitting on viable eggs? If she isn't, you need to give her 2-4 chicks to raise or break her broodiness.

 

[pattyvealey]

She does come off the nest daily to poop, drink and eat. Is she sitting on viable eggs? If she isn't, you need to give her 2-4 chicks to raise or break her broodiness.

How do I break her broodiness please?

 

[Percheron chick]

The easiest way is to place her in a wire dog crate with no bedding in it. Place food and water in there. Will take 3-4 or more days for her to change her mind. Raising the crate off the ground so air can circulate under her can speed up the process.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Also to add on to Percheron chick's advice, in the future, if you have a broody and do not wish for her to hatch chicks, break her immediately when she starts being broody. That way she won't lose too much weight or pluck out feathers or lose feather condition from sitting so long, and should return to laying sooner.

 

[pattyvealey]

The easiest way is to place her in a wire dog crate with no bedding in it. Place food and water in there. Will take 3-4 or more days for her to change her mind. Raising the crate off the ground so air can circulate under her can speed up the process.

Thank you