Hi all,
we're just about at the 1-year mark for having our flock of 6 hens, and I spent many years working on a farm with free-ranging chickens prior to this. That being said, on the farm we usually allowed one or two hens to hatch out eggs per summer, and we let the rest do their thing. So I don't have experience with what I should do with a broody hen that is *not* going to be permitted to hatch her eggs.
So one of our hens started getting pretty broody at least 2 days ago. I was away on vacation for the week prior and my fiance's dad who lives with us was taking care of the girls while we were away - I don't think this hen was broody at that time. So let's say it's 2 days that she's been broody.
We let our girls have a few hours of free-range time per day, the rest of the time they're in their chicken run (12' x 16'). So our broody girl is missing out on free-range time. Plus it's super hot outside. Our coop and run are in the shade so it's not hot there, but still, she should get fresh air.
Should I start kicking her out of the coop tomorrow? Should I close the coop door? I have seen her outside the coop but only briefly. I don't mind just letting her get it out of her system, but from what I've read online, apparently that can be stressful for her because she doesn't take good care of herself during this time. When I collected eggs yesterday and today she was inside sitting, and got all fluffy and bothered. She didn't peck me though. At the farm we always chose the meanest hens to hatch out eggs, since they were good protectors of their chicks - but we had a much bigger flock and there were foxes around, so a tough mom was more important there.
Anyway, just wondering what everyone's thoughts are. Thanks
we're just about at the 1-year mark for having our flock of 6 hens, and I spent many years working on a farm with free-ranging chickens prior to this. That being said, on the farm we usually allowed one or two hens to hatch out eggs per summer, and we let the rest do their thing. So I don't have experience with what I should do with a broody hen that is *not* going to be permitted to hatch her eggs.
So one of our hens started getting pretty broody at least 2 days ago. I was away on vacation for the week prior and my fiance's dad who lives with us was taking care of the girls while we were away - I don't think this hen was broody at that time. So let's say it's 2 days that she's been broody.
We let our girls have a few hours of free-range time per day, the rest of the time they're in their chicken run (12' x 16'). So our broody girl is missing out on free-range time. Plus it's super hot outside. Our coop and run are in the shade so it's not hot there, but still, she should get fresh air.
Should I start kicking her out of the coop tomorrow? Should I close the coop door? I have seen her outside the coop but only briefly. I don't mind just letting her get it out of her system, but from what I've read online, apparently that can be stressful for her because she doesn't take good care of herself during this time. When I collected eggs yesterday and today she was inside sitting, and got all fluffy and bothered. She didn't peck me though. At the farm we always chose the meanest hens to hatch out eggs, since they were good protectors of their chicks - but we had a much bigger flock and there were foxes around, so a tough mom was more important there.
Anyway, just wondering what everyone's thoughts are. Thanks
