No, removing eggs won't mess her up -- it probably won't even stop the broodiness; they don't care whether they are incubating eggs or air or golf balls. They can get quite upset about having their chicks removed, but not eggs, except while you're doing it, of course. Sounds like for you the only real advantage of letting her hatch eggs is, it's probably the fastest, easiest way to stop broodiness. They won't lay while setting eggs or raising chicks; they usually stay with the chicks around 4 or 5 weeks, but that's a rough estimate, it varies.
I have lots more broodies than I can use. I just take them off the nest whenever I'm in the coop, collect the eggs, and make them get up and move so they'll get more to eat, and more exercise. Usually they give up in 3 or 4 weeks, but again, there's nothing written in stone about that.
I have lots more broodies than I can use. I just take them off the nest whenever I'm in the coop, collect the eggs, and make them get up and move so they'll get more to eat, and more exercise. Usually they give up in 3 or 4 weeks, but again, there's nothing written in stone about that.
