My hen wont leave her outside nest all of a sudden

[PirateGirl]

My broody would set whether she had eggs or not. I took all the eggs every day. I took her out of the nest and then she would take a different nest and steal the other girls' eggs. Blocking her nest may help, but it might not be enough, she just might pick a new spot to nest. Good luck. Fortunately it's totally normal and she's not injured!

 

[aart]

Blocking her nest may help, but it might not be enough, she just might pick a new spot to nest.

Exactly!..and you may not be able to find the new nest.
Best to 'train' them to lay in the coop nests, IMO.

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[sourland]

The reality is that bantam cochins frequently spend more time broody than non broody. I have had bantam cochins raise as many as 5 broods in a year.

 

[MissChick@dee]

You can discourage her nesting in the yard. Sometimes just soaking in area with the hose. Putting wire down. What ever you’ve got handy. I ordered ceramic eggs from chewy.com on line (cheap). I put them in the egg box where they need to lay. I don’t want skunks attracted to the smell of a egg I might of missed. Get her corrected the sooner the better. Good luck!

 

[staceyj]

I thought new birds dont go broody... She was our first layer and just started maybe 3-ish weeks ago or so.

If she is, she stops laying - right? She laid today. I go and get the egg right after she lays it. If she keeps it up I'll need to read how to "break" it I guess.

I had a buff Orpington ( my avatar) who cycled into broodiness one month after coming into POL.

 

[ASD Dad]

She is still a work in progress. I blocked her old nest so she made a new one right next to it. She is still laying eggs daily but doesnt want to move from her nest. The other birds look at her like she is nuts! I have been picking her up and putting her by treats I set out like watermelon which is all their favorites. She will stay and eat and drink and walk around a while with the others but eventually goes back to squat on her nest...

I'll keep at it!

 

[staceyj]

I’m afraid you’re going to have to get tough before it progresses.look up breaking a broody hen or
Broody jail. Lol

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

My broody BC Marans has hatched 2 clutches since April. She is with her new babies in a separate run now. She went broody less than 6 weeks after waeaning off her first clutch. I am soooo worried that she will go broody again before the fall. I am going to be ready this time to break her. I have heard that Broodie’s can broody themselves to death! Not on my watch! Good luck with your hen!

 

[ASD Dad]

Well I broke my broody bird! She has not been acting up for a couple days now. I just had to keep blocking off where she wanted to nest and pick her up and move her to a new spot or by the other birds. She made a new nest near where her old one was and was laying there so blocked that and kept at it. Now she is up and about like normal but is pretty much attached next to my Cochin rooster. She is always with him now.

Only bummer is no eggs! She has not laid an egg since the second day I started blocking her nest. First day she just laid in the middle of the run. I read this is normal and it could be a while before she starts laying again. Big bummer since we only have two others laying right now so we went from 3 a day to 2 a day. I need my Easter Eggers to start laying soon!

Thanks for the tips!

 

[aart]

I read this is normal and it could be a while before she starts laying again.

Yep, could be in less than a week.