Reintroducing a broody hen back into the flock

[Freeloading Chickens]

I'm seeking advice from the chicken community on how to reintroduce a broody hen back into the flock. Four days ago, we separated one of our hens, Arwen, from the rest of the flock because of broody behavior. She's in a good size wire cage in the front yard. She can't see the other girls and they can't see her, but they can hear her, and she can hear them. Her 'chicken time out' cage has a makeshift perch, food, water, and dirt for her to bathe in, plus access to grass, but no bedding. She seems to be getting over her broodyness but attempts at reintroducing her have not gone well. Yesterday, I had the other three hens free ranging in the back yard and let her walk there on her own. She was okay for a couple minutes, then I saw her act aggressively towards two out of the hens, with her neck feathers raised like hackles. When I saw her heading for the third, I grabbed her and put her back in her cage. Today, I had the other three hens in what is going to be an extension of their run. I carried Arwen over and immediately the other three started acting scared. My two-year-old Americana even flew out of the roofless enclosure and onto my shoulder in an effort to get away, while the other two stared at the back fence, clucking franticly. After about ten minutes of them hiding from her and her making alarm calls, she grabbed one of the hens by the neck and seemed to bite her (a couple days ago, Arwen attacked the same hen and pulled out some of her feathers). So back to the 'time out' cage she went. Should I assume that she's still broody? Should we keep trying to have them interact? Any advice is highly appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[Gezellige_Poes]

I would put peepers on Arwen. That will stop her aggressive behavior immediately and put your other hens at ease. In no time, things will settle and you can take the peepers off.

 

[Freeloading Chickens]

I would put peepers on Arwen. That will stop her aggressive behavior immediately and put your other hens at ease. In no time, things will settle and you can take the peepers off.

Thank you. I'll research local stores to see where I can buy peepers.

 

[Gezellige_Poes]

Thank you. I'll research local stores to see where I can buy peepers.

Here are the ones I bought: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078NR38KT

 

[Gezellige_Poes]

Thank you. I'll research local stores to see where I can buy peepers.

I had meant to add previously, that she could indeed still be "hormonal"... I have a few hens who when they go broody, are really in a foul mood. Chicken PMS!

 

[Freeloading Chickens]

I had meant to add previously, that she could indeed still be "hormonal"... I have a few hens who when they go broody, are really in a foul mood. Chicken PMS!

That must be it, broody hormones. Chicken PMS is no fun.

 

[Mrs. K]

I would move the time out cage where she can see everyone, and everyone can see her. But I second the pin less peepers idea too!

 

[Freeloading Chickens]

I would move the time out cage where she can see everyone, and everyone can see her. But I second the pin less peepers idea too!

Thanks for the advice. Yesterday, we moved the 'time out' cage into the yard with the chicken house and run. We also had all four chickens in the same semi-enclosed area for around an hour. Arwen avoided the other three at first, while the other three alternately hide, flew onto me, or stood underneath me. When she started trying to interact with them, they seemed to shun her, moving away every time she tried to dig, explore, or bathe near them. Later when we put her in her 'time out' cage and everyone else back in their run, she wasn't happy; clearly wanting to be a part of the flock again.
Things are starting to get better though, I think. The girls were cautious at first, especially since Arwen was frantic today either wanting to be in the main run with the other girls or just to have freedom, but they slowly started hanging out beside her cage and communing with her. Which is progress.

 

[PopoMyers]

Re integrating takes some time, up to 3 weeks, especially since you had her out of sight for too long. Breaking broody girls should only take a few days in 'jail', but left where she and they can see each other, in a protected area.
Sounds like the situation is improving. Just be ready for the readjustment of the pecking order, meaning there will be posturing, pecking, and chasing until the order is established.

 

[thistlewick]

Alternatively, a broody will brood for about 3 weeks and then stop - you could just.. let her be broody and there is zero problems with integration. I have a Copper Maran who *loves* to go broody - she JUST turned 1 and has been broody twice already.

I just let her have her 3 weeks sitting on a nest time lol I remove any eggs laid in that nest.


I know I know, "they aren't producing eggs while broody" but honestly the time spent and stress involved in trying to re-integrate a broody is not worth ~15 eggs.