She Is Too Broody!!!!

[roostersandhens]

My hen Puff won't stop sitting on her nest. I have taken her off a million times!! I have never had a hen this determined to brood. I took her off today - she has lost a lot of weight I really need to get her to come off and stay off the nest. I would let her brood, but I can't have more chicks. If I get chickens, I want to rescue them from a battery hen farm.. Anyways, any advice on breaking her broodiness is appreciated.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Has she hatched her own chicks before this?

 

[Chickadee-23]

I had this problem with mine i moved her to a new pen and she stoped for about 6 months then i let her hatch some babies and now she stays off of the eggs babys already sold its somethin u can try, its not much u can do for broody hen other than keep her in a small pen with no nesting box for couple of weeks thats all i know hope it helps!!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Have you tried putting her in a separate cage like what they call a broody breaker? I usually just use a wire dog crate, size doesn't really matter, the bottom wire spacing is usually around 1x4"... you want it really uncomfortable for her to stand/sit on. I put a couple of perches in there and hang small food/water dishes on the sides so they can't stand or sit in them. Put the crate out in the open, I prefer to put them in the middle of the barn aisle or coop so there is a lot of activity and light... you want the hen to be bothered. They don't like to walk on the wire so they spend pretty much all the time on the perches, that works pretty well for most of them. I've never tried it, but some people have mentioned putting a small fan under them to cool them off even more.

 

[roostersandhens]

Has she hatched her own chicks before this?

No she hasn't. But the weird thing is, I have never had a hen this eager to brood, but she only wants to hatch 2 eggs..

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Maybe let her have a go? If you bring her extra treats she'll put her weight back. Not like I'm one to talk. I let my little silver Dorking brood for 21 days on DUD EGGS! Then not having learned my lesson I let my Buff Orpington go broody and hatch out TWO ROOSTERS! Arrrghhh. But still, both were older hens and just couldn't take their mind off it. Really wanted their own chicks.

 

[PrairieChickens]

Since I'm working on expanding my flock anyway, my broody hens have been a blessing rather than a curse. If I couldn't have more chicks, though, I would just let them hatch out some chicks and possibly raise them to a reasonable age, then sell or rehome them. There's always someone around here looking for chickens they don't have to fuss with brooding, and broody-raised chicks are some of the best-adjusted and healthiest you can hope for.

 

[roostersandhens]

I would love to have her hatch chicks - If I could sex eggs.. I just can't have anymore roosters. I have 5 boys already - too many. She is (however) playing the guilt trip on me.. Soon, I may crack. I just can't handle having a broody who I can't let brood..

 

[heartsizedfarm]

I totally sympathize. I caved to my Dorking because I found she was stashing them in a hiding place in the hay, to keep me from taking them. It seemed so clever and natural and feisty of her.

 

[roostersandhens]

A friend of mind says I should dunk her in a bucket of water, but I just can't do that to her. And knowing how determined Puff is, she would get on that nest right after she dried off. I don't really wanna put her in a cage.. Do you think that is I taker her off the nest like every 10 minutes today she will give up?