First time broody hen

[Lucashens]

Hi there,
We are new to hen keeping and seem to have our first broody hen. She is around 8 months old. I guess I'm just wondering the best way to manage her. She is in the nest nearly all day unless we move her out, she will then eat and drink for a bit but then go back in. She even started body slamming herself on the door when we tried closing her out! We didnt want her getting hurt so we let her back in to the nest.

How long is a hen normally broody for and is there a way to stop her? A friend advised dipping her in cool water as she is quite hot underneath. Her poo is also huge and absolutely stinks! Sorry if this is a frequently asked question, I tried to search but so many other things come up.

Many thanks!

 

[swamphiker]

It sounds like you are trying to break her of her broodiness? If so, there are several ways of breaking a broody hen. One example: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/broody-breaking-ala-aart.77915/

This is similar to the strategy I've successfully used in the past.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Hi there,
We are new to hen keeping and seem to have our first broody hen. She is around 8 months old. I guess I'm just wondering the best way to manage her. She is in the nest nearly all day unless we move her out, she will then eat and drink for a bit but then go back in. She even started body slamming herself on the door when we tried closing her out! We didnt want her getting hurt so we let her back in to the nest.

How long is a hen normally broody for and is there a way to stop her? A friend advised dipping her in cool water as she is quite hot underneath. Her poo is also huge and absolutely stinks! Sorry if this is a frequently asked question, I tried to search but so many other things come up.

Many thanks!

Please DO NOT dip her in cool water, you will possibly shock her system as she is roughly 110 degrees at her belly.


Heres how to break a broody, compliments of @aart ...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/broody-breaking-ala-aart.77915/

 

[wrathsfarm]

It sounds like you are trying to break her of her broodiness? If so, there are several ways of breaking a broody hen. One example: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/broody-breaking-ala-aart.77915/

This is similar to the strategy I've successfully used in the past.

...Responded at the same time.

 

[Lucashens]

It sounds like you are trying to break her of her broodiness? If so, there are several ways of breaking a broody hen. One example: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/broody-breaking-ala-aart.77915/

This is similar to the strategy I've successfully used in the past.

Hi yes we are trying to break her broodyness, we've been taking her out in the day to put in the tractor on the grass so she doesn't stop the other 3 laying. Thanks for the article, will have a good read of it!