What are the signs of being broody?

[vtara16]

I am still in my first year of having hens. I am a little unsure what it would look like or how the hen would act if she were broody?

 

[CheerfulHeart2]

You might find this interesting:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=181289&p=1

 

[fordmommy]

And when off the nest...."cluck,cluck,cluck,cluck,......" for most of the time off. Maybe she'll stop clucking for a few bites of food. Then bee line for the nest again.

 

[vtara16]

will it hurt the hen to be broody for a long time?

 

[fordmommy]

Quote:
Potentionally, yes. They don't eat and drink much as it is. Most can handle it, but I have heard that they could die if it continues too long.

 

[Lollipop]

My experience is different. I`ve had hens set long enough to hatch 3 cluthes of eggs and then try to hatch rocks, but with no ill effects. They always come off the nest when they need to and, when setting, are in sort of a trans that slows all body funtions. One or two, or even three days without food, water, or eliminations, doesn`t seem to hurt them. There may be exceptions and probably are, but in almost 54 years, I`ve never had a hen suffer any ill effects from setting too long. Also, the surest way to tell if a hen is broody is when she refuses to leave the nest at night to roost. Some hens give it up after a day or two, but most of the time (99.9%) if they are on the nest for 2 nights, they will stay. I see fordmommy`s experience is different and there is no sure thing. Just sharing what I`ve seen in my lifetime........Pop

 

[vtara16]

I made my broody hen leave the box today, and I mean literally made her! I pushed her off and outside. Then I blocked off the nest box that she was laying in.
I wouldn't mind her broody if I intended on hatching a few, but I have no intentions. Do you think this was the right thing to do?
It is also starting to effect the other birds, egg productions has decreased. What does everyone think?

 

[Mahonri]

Quote:
you did good.

 

[fordmommy]

Quote:
I'm braking my Louise right now. On Wednesday I took the eggs out from under her. (They were supposed to hatch but were no good) Then every time I went out there, I kicked her out and gave her treats and told her job well done. I stayed out there for probably 15-20min at a time. I'd make her go outside and she REALLY was enjoying the sun. Then I'd leave and come back in an hour or 2. At night, just before I'd turn off the light, I'd stick her up by the others on the perch. And last night when I went out there, she was already there waiting with the others. I am happy she's getting it. She was broody for a week before she even got the eggs.

 

[ange]

fordmommy, what do you mean, she was broody, before she got the eggs? I am new, I thought broody was thinking they were laying eggs, but not.just laying on the nest, waiting for baby chicks to come, do you mean they lay on the hatched egg, even though it has not been fertilized, waiting for the egg to hatch