when to let broody go broody again

[surprzchx4life]

Just had a 1yr old hen go broody first time. She sat for 5 weeks. First clutch other hens chased her off of 2nd clutch were all rotten so I finally pulled her off at 27 days when I knew it was hopeless)for which she seemed glad) so question is, when should I allow her to sit again?the 4 other hens all continue to lay each day. Broody mama seems in good health for what I would expect after all that laying. Thanks!(this is first broody I've had in my 3 yr love affair with chix

 

[luvmypets]

i would say if shes broody let her try again but put her in her own area so the others hens dont bother her.

 

[surprzchx4life]

Unfortunately we were out if town when she first went broody. We were shocked because its our first hen ever to go broody..I hope she wasn't discouraged by a bad first experience. We now have the right se set up, just wondering if we should make her take a break or a bit and not allow her to go broody?(5weeks seems like a long time hard on her...?)

i would say if shes broody let her try again but put her in her own area so the others hens dont bother her.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.
I think you should let her sit once she has gained back any weight she lost.

 

[surprzchx4life]

Thanks for the welcome! Happy to be here thanks for the responses, I will get her fattened up again, then let nature take its course. Fingers crossed that she decides to go broody again considering her first bad experience... She is doing well though

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Mountain Peeps X2 Once she is back to good health, if she goes broody, let her have another chance. Don't let the others run her off however, so you may need to fence her box off to keep the others out. Keep food and water close as well, but don't feed her on the nest. She needs to come out to do her pooping as opposed to pooping in the nest box.

Good luck and welcome to our flock!

 

[surprzchx4life]

Ah! Thx twocrows. Because I am such a beginner I unwisely put food and water in her nesting area because I naïvely thought it best for her to get up as little as possible. As a result, she did mess in her nest practically on eggs. All eggs rot. Was away when she began sitting so her nesting area was not as clean as it should've been. Learning as I go!!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Good luck with your hen, hope she does go broody again and all goes well. There is a nice thread on using broody hens https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ody-hen-hatch-a-long-and-informational-thread

 

[gander007]

I put feed and water in the nesting area two days after they all hatch and after a couple of more days they go to the big box ...






The bix box that they call home has sand on the bottom and a little door for mom to take them out for a walk ......

 

[surprzchx4life]

Awwww so cute!!(what is the purpose of the sand in bottom?)