Pretty sure she's broody

[mrbstephens]

Would anyone like to sell me ONE egg? Small breed? Guh, can't believe I'm suggesting I do this.

 

[chesko]

I'm interested in your plight because the same's happening here. I have four hens (about 1 year old) and no roosters. One hen started brooding last week. I feel bad that she's in there all day with the afternoon temperature in the 90's and dew point around 70 (i.e. typical NJ summer weather). I'm planning to wait it out...hoping she'll eat and drink as needed.

Good luck!

 

[Sorin]

I know know what your going through! Every week I have another one go broody! I just built a bigger coop because I bought 11 chicks this spring, then my favorite hen went broody and I let her hatch out 7 eggs, once they are all grown, my coop will be full! What you are doing I have found is the quickest way to get them through, about two days. It's sad to watch

but like I said, about 2 days is all. I let her go back in towards night, then after dark I just put her back on the roost, because in just a few minutes they have already planted themselves back in the nest box! Then come morning, I put her back outside the pen with some food and water and repeat the whole process. Like I said, I know it's sad to watch, but I don't like to see them stuck on that for 4-6 weeks, losing weight, and not enjoying the few short months of nice weather we have in this part of the country

 

[mrbstephens]

Quote:
This is great advice. Thank you! Tomorrow night, I'll make sure she's on the roost and not in the nesting box.

 

[mrbstephens]

She's much better today. I took her out of the box this morning. Turns out there wasn't even an egg under her. She's in the yard again, but this time she's not acting frantic and she's actually scratching for bugs.

 

[Sorin]

Works like a charm! A lot of times they won't have an egg under them, it is a hormonal change that happens to them and the temperature of their underside can affect the hormones. So even if they don't have an egg they just feel the need to "sit". That's why the usual method of breaking them is putting them in a suspended crate, so air flows under them and cools them. Glad it worked! I think it's much easier that way then the crate method!

 

[wyochicka]

My grandma always swore that if you put a broody hen in a gunny sack and hang it on the clothes line over night for several nights she will snap out of it. Keep them away from the nest during the day with plenty of food and water. Also suspend the gunny sack high enough so another critter can't get her. The gunny sack is breathable and it will hold her tight so she can't hurt herself (like in a wire cage) yet that cool night air will cool her down...

 

[mrbstephens]

She's cured! It was less than 2 days. Yesterday, she was totally acting normal. Easy peasy!