New here!!!

[lindsayh1018]

Fairly new to chickens...I have a broody hen...no rooster. I let her sit on the eggs she had when I noticed she was sitting for almost 4 weeks...took them away an put her out of the nesting box she keeps going back in and I think it's because I have noticed some of my other hens being mean to her! Help!!

 

[Pyxis]

! She keeps going back in because she's still broody. You're doing good to try to break her, brooding is hard on them. Trying locking her out of the coop for extended periods. If that doesn't work you can always try the wire bottomed cage method, since that is almost guaranteed to work. Or, of course, you could get her some chicks

 

[drumstick diva]

Not all broodies will accept chicks but, you might try with just a couple to see if she will mother them. She deserves a reward after her weeks of faithful sitting.

 

[lindsayh1018]

Thanks!!! What can I do about the other hens being nasty when she does come out?

 

[Pyxis]

Her broody behavior may actually be encouraging that. Broody hens act in a distinct way when they're off the nest - they act more fierce and aggressive. It's a defense mechanism to protect the nest by convincing everyone that she's big and tough and not to be messed with. Often hens higher on the pecking order don't appreciate this and will go after them a bit to assert their dominance. I recently had to break a broody because she was just being too aggressive and starting fights with everyone when she was off the nest. As soon as she wasn't broody any more, everything was back to normal. If however they are all being very aggressive and really harassing her and you don't think that's the cause, you could always try pinless peepers.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!