My hen is setting in her nest box all the time!

[JackE]

I have a hen who been sitting on her nest for a few days now and I don't think she gets up. Is she nesting or could there be something else wrong. And oh this is the 1st any if my chicks has ever done this they usely just lay eggs and go about their business.

Check out this thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/181289/how-to-break-a-broody-hen

 

[Oletadarlene]

Hi. Having same problem right now. What to do ?

 

[bettyhalliwill]

Mine Is doing the same, she just lays in the nest all day don't lay eggs any more and every once in awhile I'll catch her out eating but she gets less and less of coming out.

 

[BillyRoper]

We have a hen who just began setting, looks like, on a couple of eggs on the ground where she usually lays, in a nest made of wood shavings and leaves, inside the coop. We're expecting freezing weather tonight. Nobody told her winter isn't quite over, I guess. Will she give it up, or stay there without the benefit of the other chickens' body warmth?

 

[Mrs. K]

If she is inside the coop, she will be fine.

 

[BillyRoper]

Thank you, we now have 2" of snow on the ground, believe it or not, here in the Ozarks, but I checked on her and she's doing okay, hanging tough! Hopefully she'll be fine, she is in the dry and out of the wind.

 

[aart]

Thank you, we now have 2" of snow on the ground, believe it or not, here in the Ozarks, but I checked on her and she's doing okay, hanging tough! Hopefully she'll be fine, she is in the dry and out of the wind.

Had broody set and hatch in sub freezing weather...as long as she's dry and out of wind she'll be fine.
Might want to read up on managing other aspects of a broody hen....
....like marking eggs to hatch so others laid there can be removed daily,etc.
Here's a good place to start reading and asking questions:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/496101/broody-hen-thread

 

[song of joy]

Had broody set and hatch in sub freezing weather...as long as she's dry and out of wind she'll be fine.
Might want to read up on managing other aspects of a broody hen....
....like marking eggs to hatch so others laid there can be removed daily,etc.
Here's a good place to start reading and asking questions:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/496101/broody-hen-thread

So glad to hear others have had success with broodies in this type of weather!

I have a 10-month old broody that has been setting for 7 days in sub-freezing temps. She only has 6 eggs under her as I wanted to make sure she could cover them. I installed a heated bowl to make sure she has liquid water when she comes off the nest to eat and drink. 14 very long days to go yet.

 

[aart]

Quote: It was way colder, most the time, the winter I did it.......wouldn't do it again.
Here's the story:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/947046/broody-in-michigan-winter

 

[song of joy]

It was way colder, most the time, the winter I did it.......wouldn't do it again.
Here's the story:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/947046/broody-in-michigan-winter

What a great story!! Thanks so much for providing the link and taking the time to document what happened!