Won't stop brooding!

[mcgertylee]

Hi, I am new to this (or any) forum and really need advice. I have 7 hens and a rooster that I adore. Three of the hens have decided to brood. There are no eggs under them, and when they find one in the coop to steal left by the others, I remove it. There they sit, each in their own cubbyhole, on straw and shredded newspaper. I have removed them from the coop and placed them in elevated cages to cool off their breast, but even after several days, they immediately charge back to the nest, screaming with wings outstretched. I have placed each one, several times in a large container of water, holding them there for several seconds. I think they enjoy it! (I live in Hawai`i and its hot). I've tried to reason with them, it doesn't work. Violet has been sitting in there for at least 3 to 4 weeks. When they appear for food and drink, I notice the rooster chases them, and wants to corral them into the group plus renew their connubial relationship. They take off back to the safety of the coop or me. Two months ago, two of these same hens went broody and I gave them each a fertilized egg from the feed store. I thought this would cure them and give me 2 more hens, and indeed, they were gloriously happy for a short time. Then one day, after dutifully showing them the most fruitful places in the yard for various tidbits, they told their chicks to bug-off (no pun intended) and went back to the coop. I can't keep buying fertilized eggs to satisfy their passionate maternal yearnings. My husband, who doesn't get along with the rooster anyway, will pack up and leave! The hens and rooster wander all day around the yard and at night go dutifully into the coop to perch. These three hens were from wild chickens and are probably mostly jungle fowl, as is the beautiful, sweet rooster, who has never hurt them. Please HELP!!!!

 

[Kittymomma]

Read this thread, or at least the first part, it gives great directions for breaking a broody hen. IMO the wire bottom cage is the best way to go. Good luck.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3048239

 

[mcgertylee]

Thank you so much for your response. I have tried this with two of the hens and although I kept them in the cage, elevated on the lanai full of busy activity for over a week, it didn't work. I'm wondering if the rooster is chasing them back into the coop with his unappreciated attention when come out to eat? Is he trying to make them brood? I notice that the hen at the top of the pecking order will chase the brooders away also, if they come around her and discourage them from eating along side of her.

Speaking of weird behavior, the rooster often goes into small places, hunkers down, and makes soft clucking sounds, like he is calling a hen to go there. If he is in the house, he sometimes goes behind the curtains to do this. He will go to a corner on the lanai and hunker down and do that. What's up with that?

Anyway, if you come up with any new ideas, please let me know.