Broody Pullet-Should I Let Her Be a Mom?

[chickletsmom]

My 6 month old Marans has only been laying eggs for 3 weeks! She has been broody for a week and I do not have a rooster. Should I get some fertilized eggs or chicks for her to set on? Is it safe for my broody Marans to be a momma already? She is not setting on any eggs but it looks like she's tried to move the decoy eggs in her nest. I've been taking her off her nest for 2 days and closing the coop door and opening it occasionally for the other hens to lay their eggs, and I put her in cold water for a few mins today. Tonight when the coop door opened she went right back to the empty nest box. Also, it looks like the other hens have pecked her head! (See pic.) We have 10 nest boxes and 9 hens so I'm not sure why they'd peck at her. I am thinking she is too young and immature to be a momma. I'd love some expert opinions. Thanks!

 

[Pork Pie]

Personally, I'd break her broodiness by placing her in a pet crate, raised off the ground slightly (with food and water). Leave her for 3-4 days. It's preferable if you can put the crate in the coop, but if not, then at least near the feeders so that she is perceived to remain part of the flock, since the flock can still see / communicate with her.

 

[chickletsmom]

Personally, I'd break her broodiness by placing her in a pet crate, raised off the ground slightly (with food and water). Leave her for 3-4 days. It's preferable if you can put the crate in the coop, but if not, then at least near the feeders so that she is perceived to remain part of the flock, since the flock can still see / communicate with her.

I can't put the dog crate in the coop because the coop isn't large enough but I could put it in the pen. Is there a reason it has to be off the ground? At night should I put her in my husband's enclosed shop since it's protected?Thanks for your advice!

 

[Pork Pie]

I can't put the dog crate in the coop because the coop isn't large enough but I could put it in the pen. Is there a reason it has to be off the ground? At night should I put her in my husband's enclosed shop since it's protected?Thanks for your advice!

Raising the crate off the ground slightly allows air flow under the hen, thus having a cooling effect on the breast area (and theoretically hastening the broody-breaking process). For sure she needs to be somewhere safe, so if the run is not secure, then its a good idea to move her somewhere safe overnight.

 

[Pork Pie]

This link of a search should give you more info on the subject - https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/3736493/?q=broody+buster&o=relevance&c[title_only]=1

This one seems to be good - https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-break-a-broody-hen.181289/

 

[two j farm]

I have let young hens set and they did just fine. If you want more chicks then let her sit. If you don't want chick then don't. She may young but she knows what to do.

 

[bobbi-j]

You are the only one who can decide if f you want her to hatch or not. First you need to ask yourself if you really want chicks or not. You also need to think about whether or not you have room for more, and what you would do with the extra males you'll end up with.

If you don't want chicks, I would suggest breaking her broodiness using the method Pork Pie mentioned.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!


You'll need to decide if you want her to hatch out some chicks, and how you will 'manage' it.
Do you have, or can you get, some fertile eggs?
Do you have the space needed? She may need to be separated by wire from the rest of the flock.
Do you have a plan on what to do with the inevitable males? Rehome, butcher, keep in separate 'bachelor pad'?
If you decide to let her hatch out some fertile eggs, this is a great thread for reference and to ask questions.
It a long one but just start reading the first few pages, then browse thru some more at random.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/496101/broody-hen-thread


If you don't want her to hatch out chicks, best to break her broodiness promptly.
My experiences went like this: After her setting for 3 days and nights in the nest, I put her in a wire dog crate with smaller wire on the bottom but no bedding, set up on a couple of 4x4's right in the coop and I would feed her some crumble a couple times a day.

I let her out a couple times a day(you don't have to) and she would go out into the run, drop a huge turd, race around running, take a vigorous dust bath then head back to the nest... at which point I put her back in the crate. Each time her outings would lengthen a bit, eating, drinking and scratching more and on the 3rd afternoon she stayed out of the nest and went to roost that evening...event over, back to normal tho she didn't lay for another week or two.
Water nipple bottle added after pic was taken.

 

[chickletsmom]

Welcome to BYC!


You'll need to decide if you want her to hatch out some chicks, and how you will 'manage' it.
Do you have, or can you get, some fertile eggs?
Do you have the space needed? She may need to be separated by wire from the rest of the flock.
Do you have a plan on what to do with the inevitable males? Rehome, butcher, keep in separate 'bachelor pad'?
If you decide to let her hatch out some fertile eggs, this is a great thread for reference and to ask questions.
It a long one but just start reading the first few pages, then browse thru some more at random.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/496101/broody-hen-thread


If you don't want her to hatch out chicks, best to break her broodiness promptly.
My experiences went like this: After her setting for 3 days and nights in the nest, I put her in a wire dog crate with smaller wire on the bottom but no bedding, set up on a couple of 4x4's right in the coop and I would feed her some crumble a couple times a day.

I let her out a couple times a day(you don't have to) and she would go out into the run, drop a huge turd, race around running, take a vigorous dust bath then head back to the nest... at which point I put her back in the crate. Each time her outings would lengthen a bit, eating, drinking and scratching more and on the 3rd afternoon she stayed out of the nest and went to roost that evening...event over, back to normal tho she didn't lay for another week or two.
Water nipple bottle added after pic was taken.

 

[chickletsmom]

I love your set up! Unfortunately, my coop isn't large enough to put the large dog crate inside it. I did put it in my husband's shop without bedding. This is her second day inside it and when I checked on her today she wasn't very happy and made a lot of noise. Since her head has been pecked on a lot I've been able to put Vertericyn on her frequently. I will put her in the run tomorrow and see how she acts. Should I separate her from the other 8 hens for a day or so if she isn't broody anymore? Thanks for your advice.