Potential new way to break broodiness

[Yardmom]

Occasionally a hen will lay an egg the day after becoming broody, but a full pledged broody does not lay eggs.

 

[NanaK]

I put her on the roost and close off the nest boxes

I started closing off the nest boxes at lock up also.
This has really helped keep them from sneaking back late at night or early in the morning.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

I've sorta done this method with my broody hen, Valerie. Typically, I put her in broody jail, but one time I was selectively breeding and was separating the unwanted hens during the day until I got the eggs I wanted, then returned them come about mid afternoon. Because she was broody, I threw Valerie in with them and did that for about a week (until I got the eggs I wanted). She ended up quitting brooding all on her own like that just because she was separated from the nest for a few hours each day.
Valerie was a very determined hen to brood, and she often went broody again within a months time after going into broody jail. After I had done that separation, she took longer to go broody again.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Can you help me understand what constitutes being broody in terms of behavior other than staying on the nest for two consecutive nights? I'm new at this so trying to understand what to watch for. She flattened her body across the egg, I saw her turning it and repositioning a couple of times before I removed the egg. Thank you

Folks below me answered very well. I don't wait for "2 nights in nest" if they're puffed up like a pine cone but squash as flat as can be in the nest, and making the ticking time bomb sound, that's broody enough for me to toss 'em in the breaker.

Also I didn't have a crate for years. Preventing them from getting back to the nest is the main thing. I've used a dog exercise pen, an overturned tea cart wrapped in chicken wire (janky but did the job), even my chick brooder, as breakers.

 

[Bawkbok]

Other things to look out for: flaring hackles; swearing at any person or chicken that comes close; whole body inflation if standing outside the nest, wings slightly out from the sides and open so looking more like a basketball than a chicken; constant cluck cluck clucking when off the nest; generally being short-tempered in company, sending out clear vibes of 'don't mess with me'. Edited to add a photo of inflated broody
View attachment 4035134

she might have been just moving it around until the nest was comfy to sit in to chill out or snooze or otherwise enjoy a bit of peace & quiet.

This was extremely helpful, thank you so much. Appreciate the photo

 

[Bawkbok]

Like said above most of my hens will toss and turn and settle on eggs if there's any in the nest when they're laying. I have some that are loungers (hours on the nest). I have others that will lay an egg, come off nest, mill around for awhile and get back on nest and sit longer then come off the nest with their egg song. (You'd think they layed a second egg)
Hens that will be laying so close to roost time that they just spend the night in there and the next morning there's a egg, This is why I also agree at 3 full night's.

My understanding is when a hen goes broody, she starts collecting her clutch and then stops laying, then she goes into lockdown or a trance (she's focused on sitting) for a few days using her stored food and water consumption. She won't come off the nest unless she's forced to and will immediately go straight back. If you pull her off the nest she most likely will immediately lay down on coop floor and flatten out. A few minutes later she will come out of her trance and want back on her eggs.

Her reaction to you or other hens bothering her is flattening to protect her eggs, puffing up, and growling. She wants to be left alone. (That's normal with any hen, broody or not)

If she doesn't come off the nest for 3 full days and nights. Your in broody mode.

When she finally comes off the eggs after a few days...she will relieve her self, (it's normally huge). She may dust bathe, eat lots and big drink to restore her energy. She might mill around a bit with the others but then head right back to the nest.
Another sign of a full blown broody is wanting to be left alone when off the nest. Any interaction is met with puffing up like a turkey and aggression.

Thank you for this detailed description, it helps me understand chicken behavior.

 

[Bawkbok]

Usually my broodies have stopped laying by the time they lock down on a nest.

If I remove a broody from the nest she will immediately plop down on the floor and spread out like a pancake. Protesting loudly and sometimes pecking me as well. I had one that would bite.
As soon as I turn my back they are back in the nest.

Yes! They puff up and cluck steadily in a rhythmic pattern. To me it sounds like a ticking bomb.

This is a very broody Maggie.
View attachment 4035152

Thank you for this - she definitely looks to be in defensive mode!

 

[Bawkbok]

Broodys are the best and most vicious experience at the same time.

Raven puffing up to protect her babies.View attachment 4035153

That's an adorable photo - she has a very serious look in her eye! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Bawkbok]

I've sorta done this method with my broody hen, Valerie. Typically, I put her in broody jail, but one time I was selectively breeding and was separating the unwanted hens during the day until I got the eggs I wanted, then returned them come about mid afternoon. Because she was broody, I threw Valerie in with them and did that for about a week (until I got the eggs I wanted). She ended up quitting brooding all on her own like that just because she was separated from the nest for a few hours each day.
Valerie was a very determined hen to brood, and she often went broody again within a months time after going into broody jail. After I had done that separation, she took longer to go broody again.

What breed of chicken is Valerie, please?

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

What breed of chicken is Valerie, please?

Olive Egger. I'm thinking her mix was a Black Copper Maran with a Whiting True Blue, though I'm not sure. (She came from a local breeder, not a hatchery.)