Hi Folks. I've had a few chickens for a few years but still consider myself very much a beginner. Therefore, if what I am posting about is a very common problem with a simple solution/cure/prevention, then forgive my ignorance. My chickens are free range.
Anyway, I have a Jersey Giant Hen that is about 10 months old but just started laying her first eggs about 2 months ago. I collected them for a while, then I started letting them pile up hoping she would sit on them. When her nest had 12 eggs, which was about exactly what she could cover, she "went broody" and started sitting full time. Only problem was, she kept/keeps laying eggs!! In the past once my hens start sitting they somehow turn off the egg making machine. I didn't realize this until there were 16 eggs under her and she couldn't cover them. I took 4 out but the next day there was a new one. I did make a mark on the original ones at that point so I could at least tell which ones were new when I removed them, but this is getting crazy. Its been 10 days now so she is almost half way through original eggs, and still laying.
Has anyone else had this? Is there anything I can do that might get her to stop laying eggs? Thanks
Anyway, I have a Jersey Giant Hen that is about 10 months old but just started laying her first eggs about 2 months ago. I collected them for a while, then I started letting them pile up hoping she would sit on them. When her nest had 12 eggs, which was about exactly what she could cover, she "went broody" and started sitting full time. Only problem was, she kept/keeps laying eggs!! In the past once my hens start sitting they somehow turn off the egg making machine. I didn't realize this until there were 16 eggs under her and she couldn't cover them. I took 4 out but the next day there was a new one. I did make a mark on the original ones at that point so I could at least tell which ones were new when I removed them, but this is getting crazy. Its been 10 days now so she is almost half way through original eggs, and still laying.
Has anyone else had this? Is there anything I can do that might get her to stop laying eggs? Thanks