Uncurable brooding hen

[christineavatar]

I have a hen who has been brooding about 10 days now. I have followed the advice I have read on this blog but nothing has worked. I dunked her in icy water twice in one day, once in the morning and once in the evening. She got as mad as a wet hen both times but went right back to sitting on eggs. I have removed the eggs that are there daily. She then just moves off the nest and goes to another one with eggs. I've run out of tactics. How do I normalize this hen?

 

[mommto3kiddos]

What about giving her a chick to raise? Or buy her a couple fertilized eggs to sit on.. She sounds like one determined girl

 

[MiddleChild]

My broody hen looked so sad when I took her unfertilized eggs away that I ran out and got her a dozen (possibly) fertile ones. Five hatched and she is over the moon - what a great mom! Neighbors and I are totally charmed and learn new things daily from watching the circus. The lady I got the eggs from said she'd take back any I didn't want to keep, and a friend wants a pullet if I have a spare, so all are provided for. Let her be a mom - it's fair to her and great for you.

 

[aggie9296]

If you don't want babies, you'll probably have to lock her in a different pen with no nest box until she loses the urge. Wire dog cages or kennels work.

Mine took 3 weeks to finally break. But it must be contagious, because I've gotten another one now.

 

[Wynette]

THe best way you can break a broody is by putting her into a cage with no nest box and a wire bottom. Some folks take a plastic dog kennel, cut the bottom out, and put hardware cloth on the bottom. Then, tie it up to a rafter (if you have a barn or other structure) so the cage is hanging off the floor. Or, you can put it up on cinderblocks. The idea is that it must be off the floor so that air can flow underneath her. She will not brood if it's not a warm, cozy place. If air is flowing underneath her, she'll be broken in no more than 3 days. I've never had it take longer than 3 days. BUT - leave her in for a full 3 days...if you take her out after 2 and she hops right back into the nest box...you need to get her right back out & start over. Of course, put feed/water cups in the front of the cage.

 

[scooter147]

The best method is the wire bottom cage raised off the floor. I will tell you that I have a 3 year old mixed bantam that started setting in mid March and has been that way ever since. She probably won't give up the effort until mid September or so. I've tried breaking her up and it doesn't matter how long I leave her in the cage it doesn't break her. The instinct in her is so strong that she isn't even a good mother. I've let her hatch eggs and given her chicks and she just sits, doesn't raise the chicks. I would have culled her but my grandson when he comes over wants to " go see the chicken he can pet". Again she just sits there, she ruffles her feathers a bit but doesn't even peck.

 

[christineavatar]

Thanks, everyone. I guess the raised wire floor box is the way to go!

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

Quote:

ICY WATER!! you are joking right....who in the world does that...lol...lol...that is too funny. I can imagine that hen thinking...OMG, here comes that *&^% bucket of cold water again...