i somehow acquired 2 runaways and i have questions. please help

[pollipazzi]

She's broody. There are 3 choices: break her, let her ride it out (about 3 weeks), or give her some eggs to hatch if she's really committed.

I could never break mine; it seems so cruel. I let her remain, although I did take her out by hand (she growled but was docile otherwise) several times a day so she could get air, exercise, and food and water.

While broody, she won't lay eggs, and will lose weight.

thank you for answering!!! everybody in the us is sleeping when i'm having trouble! lol!
they started to not share a nest box a few days ago and they each use their own. so i took the fake eggs out of thelma's side just to see. sure enough she went back in and was sitting on the fake eggs on louise's side. i annoyed her until she came out. i did that a couple of times because i knew it was too early for her. she's been out now for a couple of hours enjoying the sunshine with her buddy. i will keep an eye on her.
she's already so small and definitely not fat. i'd hate for her to lose weight.

 

[AntiqueB]

A broody will sit with or without eggs. Mine, who would stay broody for her 3 weeks several times a year, actually found eggs uncomfortable, and would push them out from under her!

She'd stay in that nest, though!

 

[pollipazzi]

A broody will sit with or without eggs. Mine, who would stay broody for her 3 weeks several times a year, actually found eggs uncomfortable, and would push them out from under her!

She'd stay in that nest, though!

i'd imagine it's like sleeping with rollers in your hair
i did take all the eggs out after that and she did try her own nest with no eggs but i chased her out. i probably chased her out 3 times this morning. but i did put one egg back for louise so she doesn't have a fit.

 

[RoyalChick]

Many hens will get off the nest once a day for self care. Eat, drink, poop, dust bathe (nit necessarily in that order).
My broody girl never learned that so once or twice a day I haul her off the nest and carry her outside.
She usually does what needs doing in ten minutes and then rushes back to her nest.

 

[fluffycrow]

Not a very popular opinion here, but most hens (emphasis on hens, not immature pullets) rarely go broody without having built up the appropriate fat reserves for it. Not saying that brooding isn’t an exhausting process, but so is long-term laying. The ideal would be a break from both.

Ultimately, you know your hens best, as well as what you can handle right now. Best of luck with whatever you decide

 

[pollipazzi]

Not a very popular opinion here, but most hens (emphasis on hens, not immature pullets) rarely go broody without having built up the appropriate fat reserves for it. Not saying that brooding isn’t an exhausting process, but so is long-term laying. The ideal would be a break from both.

Ultimately, you know your hens best, as well as what you can handle right now. Best of luck with whatever you decide

thank you for the advice!

 

[RoyalChick]

Not a very popular opinion here, but most hens (emphasis on hens, not immature pullets) rarely go broody without having built up the appropriate fat reserves for it. Not saying that brooding isn’t an exhausting process, but so is long-term laying. The ideal would be a break from both.

Ultimately, you know your hens best, as well as what you can handle right now. Best of luck with whatever you decide

This is a very good point. Most times I have let mine sit without eggs was to get them to take a break from laying.

 

[pollipazzi]

i meant to ask... is chasing her out bad in case she really wants to lay an egg? like should i give her more time in there? and if so, how much is too much time? i also dont want her to think she's not allowed in there or be afraid to go in

 

[fluffycrow]

This is a very good point. Most times I have let mine sit without eggs was to get them to take a break from laying.

Shad’s three day method seems like a good solution. I haven’t been able to follow it yet (broke some a little earlier, gave in and let others hatch ), but it’s short enough to not put much strain on the hen, if any, and should be enough for the egg laying cycle to be momentarily broken.

i meant to ask... is chasing her out bad in case she really wants to lay an egg? like should i give her more time in there? and if so, how much is too much time? i also dont want her to think she's not allowed in there or be afraid to go in

If you’ve decided not to let her hatch, I’d imagine simply removing every egg and egg lookalike to be enough. If my understanding of your situation is correct, she hasn’t been broody for a long time; it’s unlikely she’ll dwell on it for long with no eggs present in the nest. Chasing is not something I’ve tried, so can’t give much advice. Not sure if it would be my preferred method, but some hens just don’t take no for an answer

 

[pollipazzi]

Shad’s three day method seems like a good solution. I haven’t been able to follow it yet (broke some a little earlier, gave in and let others hatch ), but it’s short enough to not put much strain on the hen, if any, and should be enough for the egg laying cycle to be momentarily broken.


If you’ve decided not to let her hatch, I’d imagine simply removing every egg and egg lookalike to be enough. If my understanding of your situation is correct, she hasn’t been broody for a long time; it’s unlikely she’ll dwell on it for long with no eggs present in the nest. Chasing is not something I’ve tried, so can’t give much advice. Not sure if it would be my preferred method, but some hens just don’t take no for an answer

thank you! there's no rooster here. i don't even know if one would be allowed where i live. she's very young and only just started laying about 2 or 3 weeks ago? she's also very very tiny!
they just decided to live here one day and i know absolutely zero things about chickens except for what i've recently read and the advice on this thread. i really appreciate your input!