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How to Break Broody Hen's?

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by Joe.G, Jul 23, 2013.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Jul 23, 2013 #1
    Joe.G

    Joe.G Songster

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    Hi, I have two Barred Rocks a Black Australorp and a Black Sex link all sitting, They have been at it for a while now, I took all there eggs away that didn't hatch and they are stilling trying to get the Pine Shavings to hatch I guess.
     
  2. Jul 23, 2013 #2
    sumi

    sumi Égalité Staff Member 7 Years

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    To break their broodiness put them in a wire cage with only food and water for a few days. It usually takes around 3-4 days, using this method. Or, if you'd like them to raise some chicks for you, you could buy some 1-2 day old chicks and slip them under the hens at night while they are sleepy. They are more likely to accept them this way.
     
  3. Jul 23, 2013 #3
    redsoxs

    redsoxs Crowing

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    Yes, they will stay brooder even if you take the eggs away. What a lot of folks do and what I have done is remove the broody hen from the coop and put her in a separate pen/cage with her food and water. A suspended wire floor is recommended so she can't built up that heat that is required for incubating and hatching. That seems to break the "broody spell." Might take a few days.
    I have a special broody buster cage built that I break out for such occasions. My Buff Orps go broody 3 or 4 times per year. Good luck to you!
     

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