Rogue Broody Hen. How to break?

[Sunshine_Chick]

My 1year old Easter Egger has been missing for 2 days. I found her in the woods today, but I didn't locate her nest. Will I be able to break her broodiness without destroying the nest? I have no rooster so infertile eggs. The brush is very thick and I felt like the Pythoncowboy running after her, but I finally caught her. My plan is to leave her locked up. Will only broody jail work or must I locate the nest? Open to ALL suggestions!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Pen her up for 3-5 days, longer if you are worried about catching her again. She should break.

 

[Sunshine_Chick]

Thank you for replying! I was hoping just containing her would break her. I don't think I will be able to locate her nest. I truly thought she got eaten & then got to thinking maybe she is broody. Am shocked she made it thru 2 nights out there. I figure I can keep her in her crate inside the house during the day (gets too hot during the day to leave her caged on the porch) & on the enclosed porch at night (normal sleeping location).

 

[aart]

on the enclosed porch at night (normal sleeping location).

Do you have a coop....and other birds?

 

[Sunshine_Chick]

Do you have a coop....and other birds?

I have no coop. I have 3 hens in total 2 EE (1year old) & a BO (~4 yo). I didn't expect a yearling to go broody. I looked for the nest again today, but didn't locate it. Do you think she will go back to the nest after being in "broody jail"?

 

[aart]

I have no coop. I have 3 hens in total 2 EE (1year old) & a BO (~4 yo). I didn't expect a yearling to go broody. I looked for the nest again today, but didn't locate it. Do you think she will go back to the nest after being in "broody jail"?

So coop or run or protected nests?
Hard to say...pretty hard to manage or 'control' chickens without some kind of enclosure.
I'd bet your other birds are laying there too?

 

[Sunshine_Chick]

So coop or run or protected nests?
Hard to say...pretty hard to manage or 'control' chickens without some kind of enclosure.
I'd bet your other birds are laying there too?

The BO is molting so no eggs right now & the other EE lays in her crate. I have a fenced in yard but have some erosion in the back & they can slip under. It's a new "trick". Wish I could find the nest & destroy it as I don't want it attracting anything.

 

[aart]

Wish I could find the nest & destroy it as I don't want it attracting anything.

Confine the broody hen overnight, then let her out and follow her...
...she should make bee line for the nest if she's truly broody.

 

[Shadrach]

What aart has written.

 

[Sunshine_Chick]

Confine the broody hen overnight, then let her out and follow her...
...she should make bee line for the nest if she's truly broody.

Thanks I kept her in her crate for a few days & also dunked her in a bucket of cool water twice. I let her out mid-afternoon & she came in to roost!!