What does Broody mean?

[Super Admin]

You could separate her to try and break the brood but it hasn't worked for me. I just gave in and bought some fertile eggs to hatch and raise.

 

[Judy]

If taking a broody off the nest doesn't break her, you can usually break her by putting her in a wire cage for a few days. Set the cage up on blocks or whatever so there is air flow below her. Give food and water, of course, but NO nesting materials. When she gets restless and wants out, she will hopefully be through. A hen should not be allowed to continue being broody without fertile eggs to set and hatch as they lose a lot of weight and can get very sick or even die.

Here's a good article about broodies:

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. usually putting the broody in a wire cage will cause her to stop. The broody doesn't care if the eggs are fertile or not she will sit on them anyway. She has one purpose to brood and hatch some eggs. They will only get off the nest long enough to do her business such as eat and drink some.

 

[goldnchocolate]

Quote:
That is a really good description of my broody RIR right now

--her tail reminds me of a male turkey (not sure of the name) when she is out of the nest.

 

[LisaChick1]

Is a broody hen a mean hen... Like can my kids not go near the coop without being chased away? What would she do if I tried to pick her up? SO sorry if this sounds idiotic.... I'm new! Thanks!!!

 

[JackE]

Is a broody hen a mean hen... Like can my kids not go near the coop without being chased away? What would she do if I tried to pick her up? SO sorry if this sounds idiotic.... I'm new! Thanks!!!

They won't chase anybody. But they can be kinda crabby, sitting on the nest. I have three hens that go broody on me. Two of them, you can reach in and get the eggs out from under, with no problems. They will swell up and growl, but they won't bite or anything. If I pull them out of the nest, and set them on the floor, they will just sit there all puffed up, they after 15-20 secs, they will get up, and usually crawl back into the nestbox. But they won't attack.
Now, one of the broodys, a four year old BO, She gets EXTRA crabby, and she will peck and bite you, if you reach into the nest. She actually drew blood on me one time. Bit the back of my hand, and twisted her little head around like a crocodile. She won't come out and chase you, but she will defend her nest. Other than that, she's a sweetheart, will eat out of my hand. But when broody, she's no-nonsense.
Really, the bottom line is, there is nothing to fear from a broody hen. They just get a little cranky.

 

[Mrs. K]

They are aggressive to protect their nest, and later their babies. If you have to handle her, put a towel over her head and that will protect you and not upset her too much.

However, they will attack if provoked, even after the chicks are hatched. Yesterday, my niece tried to get a chick free of a fence the chick was trapped in, and Butter charged her legs.

Mrs K