How Can I Get A Hen UN Broody?

[Almosta Farm]

Well said. I 100% agree. Let them be or don't buy a broody breed.
Not to sound rude...

That was my thought exactly when I bought Leghorns ... last year I fought a broody Leghorn several times for several weeks at a time. This year when she went broody (even though I don't want chicks, just eggs) I just moved her away from the rest of the flock (so the others wouldn't catch the broody bug) gave her a fertile egg and let nature run it's course. Why fight one for 4 or 5 weeks, when you can end it in 3 ... sell or give the chick away ... mom is laying again ...

 

[Nardo]

OK so one more chimes in.

I'm in Texas
It gets hot
My BR went broody
All breeds are subject to hormones
Even if you are careful to buy breeds that aren't PRONE to it
I had to break her because it's too hot to leave her on a nest
Even with a fan
Even with fresh water
Even with a wading pool.

So, I finally had to tack a piece of tin across all of the nests. This means you disturb the others and find other eggs all around.
But once she could not see the nests, she gave up in a day.

May or may not work for anyone else.
Like I say, just chiming in

Good luck.

 

[animal paradise]

That was my thought exactly when I bought Leghorns ... last year I fought a broody Leghorn several times for several weeks at a time. This year when she went broody (even though I don't want chicks, just eggs) I just moved her away from the rest of the flock (so the others wouldn't catch the broody bug) gave her a fertile egg and let nature run it's course. Why fight one for 4 or 5 weeks, when you can end it in 3 ... sell or give the chick away ... mom is laying again ...

Well said ^^^

Exactly. Then you make someone happy with a cute chick!! And you have a happy muma chook too.

 

[Scott16475]

I had a broody hen but it lasted for only two days. The first day I thought she was sick (my first experience with a broody hen) and when I reached into the nesting box she fluffed up to be as large as possible, made some high pitched screams, and that's when it dawned on me she was broody. I picked her up, removed her from the nesting box, and gathered the eggs. I did this for two days and I guess she figured it was more trouble than what it was worth and never did it again.

 

[Almosta Farm]

OK so one more chimes in.

I'm in Texas
It gets hot
My BR went broody
All breeds are subject to hormones
Even if you are careful to buy breeds that aren't PRONE to it
I had to break her because it's too hot to leave her on a nest
Even with a fan
Even with fresh water
Even with a wading pool.

So, I finally had to tack a piece of tin across all of the nests. This means you disturb the others and find other eggs all around.
But once she could not see the nests, she gave up in a day.

May or may not work for anyone else.
Like I say, just chiming in

Good luck.

Heat was a big issue/worry for me also. Our temps have broken 100 a couple of days and about 2 weeks were consistantly in the upper 90's. I just made sure she was in the shade and put a gallon jug of ice in front of a fan blowing on her nest and onother jug of ice beside the nest. The other hens were jealous, running around panting ...

but they were too interested in bugs to stay near the cool jugs I put out for them.

 

[Kacey I15]

I have never been unsuccessful in 'breaking' a broody.

This year is different.

I have put the hen in a dog cage without a pan in the bottom... no water or food for a few days...
she still wants to set.

I have dunked her in water
and she still wants to set.

She has been in that cage for over 2 weeks. I let her out every few days to eat and drink.

Tonight I hung the cage from a rafter so it can swing.....I have heard that is unsettling to a broody hen...

If that doesnt work... what tricks do you use to change the mind of a broody hen?

I know this sounds weird but a couple days ago I had a broody and we tried everything and finally I got on the Internet and seen this video of someone dipping their chicken in water for 3-4 minutes so I tried it just to see and she hasn't had ANY interest going back into the nest at all after I took her out of the water.

 

[maddog3355]

If your worried about weight loss hand feed them 2 times a day. You need something with a little more substance than crumbles. Dog food canned mackerel or tuna fish works and bread too. Don't feed the last 4 days because you don't want her needing water or a bathroom break.

 

[chicknmania]

I have never been unsuccessful in 'breaking' a broody.

This year is different.

I have put the hen in a dog cage without a pan in the bottom... no water or food for a few days...
she still wants to set.

I have dunked her in water
and she still wants to set.

She has been in that cage for over 2 weeks. I let her out every few days to eat and drink.

Tonight I hung the cage from a rafter so it can swing.....I have heard that is unsettling to a broody hen...

If that doesnt work... what tricks do you use to change the mind of a broody hen?

What the heck is the point of no food or water? Not only is it cruel, but it makes no sense! Put the broody in a pen where she can be comfortable and make sure she has plenty of food and water. Three days in the pen and broody cycle is broken. In the ten years we've had chickens, this has worked for us every time.

 

[Nardo]

Heat was a big issue/worry for me also. Our temps have broken 100 a couple of days and about 2 weeks were consistently in the upper 90's. I just made sure she was in the shade and put a gallon jug of ice in front of a fan blowing on her nest and another jug of ice beside the nest. The other hens were jealous, running around panting ...

but they were too interested in bugs to stay near the cool jugs I put out for them.

I hear you. In Winter, I believe breaking them is easier on me and them too. I always read that their breast temp is another factor that makes them stay broody, so when it is 100 outside already...wow.

 

[Kusanar]

What the heck is the point of no food or water? Not only is it cruel, but it makes no sense! Put the broody in a pen where she can be comfortable and make sure she has plenty of food and water. Three days in the pen and broody cycle is broken. In the ten years we've had chickens, this has worked for us every time.

I think the point is to make sure she doesn't do a quick sneak and grab some food here and there so she is good and hungry so when you let her out there is a better chance she will go to the food and stay there for a while rather than grabbing 1 mouthful and running back to her nest.