How do i stop ahen from going broody

[blom545]

Hi I have 50 hens but 12 are broody and it looks like more are also becoming broody how do i stop this?it is really slowing down my egg production.

 

[sumi]

Put then hens, one by one, in a wire bottom cage with only food and water. Broody hens' body temperature goes up and by putting them in the cage you make it very hard for them to maintain that temperature, so after average 3 days they should give up and stop being broody. Also remove any eggs laid asap from the nest boxes. Good luck!

 

[blom545]

Thank you i am taking all the eggs out every day will try what you said.

 

[Wigggy]

Another thing you could do which is what i do is lock them in a small pen fox proof and hose them down. Little stress then its last thing on their mind offten takes a day but you can do many hens at once and do it in a chicken tractor with the nest boxes locked off less mess

 

[Texas Granny]

My suggestion to you is that you replace your stock with hens that don't go broody rather than torture yourself or the hens with cruel attempts to force the birds not to go broody. If you are seeking hens that will hatch chicks, simply add a few broody hens to your non-broody stock. Any reputable hatchery can assist you in your choices.

 

[Smoochie]

I would agree with Texas Granny. If eggs are your goal you need stock that are non setters. A white leghorn would rarely go broody. I never try to " break" a broody hen as it is just her motherly instincts kicking in... If anything I try to find some eggs for my broody's to hatch as I love seeing my hens as proud protective loving moms.

 

[Texas Granny]

Thank you Smoochie. Around here we focus on the health/happiness of our birds and we too allow our hens to go broody. I am convinced doing so keeps the birds healthier and their feathers in great shape. We don't get the feather shedding most other flocks experience. We never feed hormone laced "laying mash" either, only scratch and our hens all lay year round. That says a lot in the extremes of Texas weather.