That seems scary to me, lol, maybe not to a chicken ? This will need to be done repeatedly several times a day in order to break her. These hens have been very busy the last 3 days and today was their payday! We’re at about 10 days now, but one problem… I didn’t realize for a few days (perhaps several as I had a new grandson born and my son cared for the flock) and at least 1 hen continued to get into Mama’s nest with her and lay. There are a lot of theories/techniques on how to stop a broody hen, but here are a few of the most common: If you decide to let your hen stay broody, the next issue to consider is location. Any tips or best practices you’d like to add? If you use a flashlight, shine the light directly under the egg until it illuminates the contents. No, although I think that it is fair to say that most hens will … Thank you for writing this post, it is full of good information. When she gets off the nest she will remain fluffed out and will be rude and aggressive to everyone around her. Next put up a piece of cardboard or wood to block her from accessing the nest. A broody hen can be a blessing or a curse! They won’t start developing until she starts sitting on them. The pituitary gland will start to produce large amounts of prolactin which in turn stimulate the brood instinct. Especially since you shared all these great tips about dealing with them and their chicks. Place the cage in a bright and well ventilated area. She is fully inside with the only entrance a small opening from where I can peek in at her (only to be growled at) but I cannot get to her eggs and she only comes out late or middle of the night. However… that requires one important component– something I don’t always have. My Broody hen Mama is very determined! Just remember not to use this method if the weather is cold. Did these ideas help to break your broody hen? Eggs do best with very little interference, but if you absolutely must candle them, there won’t be much to see before day 7. If so, your only real solution is a rollaway nesting box, where the eggs roll under a partition and put of their reach as soon as they get up. Feeding chick starter, what else? If after repeatedly removing her she is still returning to the nest, it is time to remove nesting material. Whilst she is broody she can be aggressive and will stop laying eggs. You will want to keep an eye on the calendar and watch her carefully until the eggs have hatched. If you are planning on moving your broody hen anytime soon, keep in mind that your hen will be determined to stay where she currently is.Because your broody hen is driven by instinct to sit on her clutch of eggs until they hatch, she’ll only take a break from the clutch to eat, get some water, go to the bathroom, etc. Their body recognizes that the rest period (winter) is done and now is the time to brood and raise young chicks. Sometimes hens will know when an egg is not developing and will kick it out of the nest. Remember though there are always exceptions to the rules. An egg sitting in the nest for a few hours can give a broody some ideas. Broody hens are devoted to their eggs and take care of everything else by instinct. A hen that is committed to hatching chicks is known as a broody. She flips from the sweet docile hen you could pick up and pet to something more akin to a mother bear. A broody hen is one who thinks that she is incubating eggs to hatch. I have raised nest boxes in a smallish coop. We say a hen has “gone broody” when something in her biological clock kicks in and she starts sitting on a nest of eggs. We know mama hen is ready to get out when she starts repeatedly making a mess out of the food and waterer in the Brooder Box. Try to ensure that her nest is in a safe place as they do not always nest in the coop. You can give your chickens the cutest nesting boxes in the world, with herbs and all the fixings inside, but still might decide they’d rather nest on top of the tractor or on the highest corner of the haystack (ask me how I know…). Always check to make sure a broody chicken is eating and drinking, especially if the weather is particularly hot or humid. This is great info also if you want some dedicated to laying but not becoming broody. I have one rooster and two hens ;the hens are eating their eggs please advise as to remove eggs or the feed…? When the mama hen feels that the chicks are old enough to be on their own (around week 4 or 5), she will begin to distance herself from the chicks and may even peck at them if they follow her around. 4. Once she has set her clutch (group) of eggs, she will sit for 21 days until they hatch. I just wanted to clarify before I get it all ready and begin. If you remove the mama hen and the chicks due to conflicts with the flock, predators, or to save money on chicken feed, you will have to integrate them back with the flock later, which can be time-consuming. She will add eggs daily and may even steal some from other hens – some girls are over achievers and will have a mountain of eggs under them. Do I need to wait till her nest is full before I know if she is broody? Also, once the chicks have hatched do I need to change the hens’ food to the pullet grower too? Broody Hen Behavior. Still returning to the nest, put in all the eggs, then next up is frozen water her! 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