is broody bad

[jeepgurl]

ok dumb question here, why is broody bad?

 

[Amarisus]

Its not "bad" just some people don't like it because the hen stops laying while she's broody. I personally love it when my birds would go broody, watching them raise they're own chicks is so amazing and fun! It can get a little annoying because for some reason when one bird goes broody at least two others do as well lol don't ask why they just do. Some people like it and some don't it just depends on a person's situation and opinion.

 

[DanEP]

It also depends on whether or not you have roosters. No roo means the broody is not going to hatch chicks and will have to be broken, with some it's easy but some can be harder. also if you have only 2-3 hens loosing one from laying for a few weeks is not good. I just got hit by feral cats about 6 weeks ago (killed almost 40 chickens) and only have one hen old enough to lay.While I normally like broodys I really don't want this girl going broody till the teenagers are layingShe's 2 years old and has hatched and raised two groups of chicks for me I would like her to keep laying for a while.

 

[Amarisus]

Well even if you have a broody with no roo some people will just go buy fertile eggs from someone else who does have a roo.

 

[Jubilee1111]

It does take a toll on their overall condition.

They lose a lot weight and their comb and wattles grow pale. They also pull out a lot of their feathers on their underside and breast.

I just broke broody on a hen who hatched babies for me a little over a month ago. I usually let them do their thing but with the heat, I don't want additional stress on them if I can prevent it. I just scooped her up, took her to the hose and gently wet down her underside every time I caught her camped out on the nest. It only took 2 days and approximately 4 soakings a day to break her of it. I also shut the door to that nest. She climbed all over looking for a way in but came to terms with it.

 

[Granny Chicken]

Hi Jubilee,
I have been reading your posts as I am in a similar situation and I hope you don't mind me asking questions.
I also think I have a broody hen -- K2 is a 16 month old Cohin. She doesn't want to come out of the coop either. I have to remove her every morning and lock the coop and remove the ramp. She has flown to the top of the coop before trying to get inside.
I didn't know getting her wet with the hose would break the broodiness. Won't she get sick?
She has been this way since May. How long can a hen remain broody?
Granny Chicken