Broody Hens And How to Deal With Broodiness

Hens are most likely to become broody in spring and early summer, but it can happen at any time throughout the year, especially in the hen's second year. A broody hen will refuse to leave the nest and may cluck loudly in protest when you go near her. She will only leave the nest once a day to eat, drink and poo. The droppings she will produce when broody will be large and rather unpleasant.

Not all hens will go broody and in fact most types of hens that have been bred for egg production wont as they have had the 'broodiness genes' bred out of them. If a hen goes broody she will not lay for up to 12 weeks and if left will take over the nest box preventing other hens from entering. It makes no difference whether there is a cockerel present or not, as the hen will go broody with or without him. A broody hen will also sit on eggs regardless of whether they are fertile or not.

There are a few tried and tested methods for stopping a hen from being broody, although if she is very determined it maybe impossible to stop her and she will sit anywhere. Even if you do manage to stop your hen from being broody, she still probably won't lay again for a few weeks but this is still better than the twelve weeks or so if she was left to try to sit on eggs.

1. Keep taking her off the nest, this may take a few attempts, but often works with a less determined broody hen.

 

2. If this doesn't work try moving the hen to a different place where she cannot see her old nest and keep her there for four days.

3. For a more determined broody hen a wire bottom cage often works. The airflow up through the wire keeps her underside cool and after a few days she will usually give up.

4. You can try dunking the broody hens lower half into a bath of cold water until her feathers are wet. Her instinct will be to dry herself off and preen her feathers, which may be enough of a distraction to make her forget about sitting on her nest.

When using methods 2 or 3, be careful when re-introducing her to the flock as she may get pecked for a while until the pecking order is re-established. Try to keep the broody hen near to the rest of the flock so that they can still see and smell her, this should make re-introducing her easier.

If you want to hatch eggs using a broody hen then a determined broody hen will be welcome. Even if you don't want to hatch eggs there are usually plenty of others who will welcome your broody hen or offer to buy her.