How to stop a broody hen

[bryan8]

Can can you do to stop a broody hen? Shes sitting on nothing. I tryed ice cubes and she didnt care.

Any suggestions?

~Bryan

 

[montcapu]

broodies are defeintly funny creatures, I had 2 broody chickens at one time, they both had eggs, but one set did not hatch (they were both due on same day) she buddy up with the other mom who hatched out 4 and they shared the responsiblity for them. So if the 2nd one wants to sit, you can let her and she may be able to share the responsibilty especially since the other mom does not mind her next to her.

but if you do not want to let her sit, you can keep taking her off nest put her in a open bottom wired pen and in a couple days that should get her out of broody mood

 

[mxpres]

I used the wire cage last week with a broody gold comet,she had been broody for three days untill I out her in a open wire cage with plenty of food and fresh water,left her in the cage from thursday untill sunday,worked like a charm,,be sure to wear gloves when your moving a broody hen,mine had a cute little twist of her beak that would almost bring blood,

 

[Chickenmaven]

We had a broody silkie epidemic, so we tractored some of them this week. I cannot say that it "broke" them all (only one), but it did make them forage & eat. I worry so much that they will sit on nothing & lose weight!

Here is a photo of them in the tractor -

They seem happy enough!