Will a hen go broody on one freshly laid egg?

[Kitchenella]

One more question. If I do give her one chick after a few weeks, will she start laying when she is caring for a chick?

I really miss those eggs. LOL

Peggy

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I recommended giving her at least 2 chicks so that if she rejected them, the chicks would have each other for company as they were being raised in the brooder. But if you want to break her broody spell faster, put her in a wire-bottomed cage (like a rabbit cage, or even a big bird cage) and raise it up on blocks or sawhorses. After a few days & nights of getting a breeze up underneath, she should be ready to go back to being a laying hen.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I didn't see your additional question. It's not at all likely that she'll lay while caring for a chick. My broodies tend their chicks for 5-12 weeks -- depending on the individual hen & how motherly she is -- and then will leave them to fend for themselves while she returns to the flock and begins to lay again. Some hens will only lay for a few weeks before going broody again. Others will not go broody for 6 months to a year, a few will never go broody again. It depends on the hen.

This is why the broody instinct has been selectively bred out of many laying breeds. You want a hen that will consistently lay eggs for eating, and not want to take time off for brooding.

What breed is your broody hen?

 

[Kitchenella]

She is supposed to be a Syrian Baladi chicken. I haven't found much information on the web about them. I wouldn't think they would be particularly broody because, unless they are bred for meat, they wouldn't be practical for the Arab farmers here.

I think I'll just wait her out. I feel sorry for her sitting on an empty nest. I don't really have room in my little operation to isolate her. They are really just pets but we do enjoy the fresh eggs. Hoperully my other two girls will start laying soon. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Rex, Sambo (who turned out to be a rooster and has been relocated, Sarge (a girl but got her name cause she is so bossy) and little Goldie (who was sick but is doing better)

Rex

My little coop.

Inside the coop. You can see the cardboard nesting box.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

If she doesn't stop on her own, perhaps you could use that wire cage your birds are sitting on in the first photo for a broody buster. Also, I've had success breaking some broodies by just setting them back up on their roost again & again. I wish you success!

 

[Kitchenella]

Well we had a spell of nice weather so I kicked Rex out of the nest and locked up the coop and kept all the girls outside in the run for 3 days. It worked. Rex stopped brooding and now after about 10 days she laid her first post broody egg today. Now if I can just get the other two girls to start laying I'll be a happy camper.

Peggy