What to do with a broody chicken?
Managing broody hens can be a challenging but necessary task for chicken owners. Broodiness is a natural instinct for hens to incubate eggs and hatch chicks. However, if you don't have a rooster like me or you're not interested in hatching chicks, it's important to manage broody hens to ensure their health and well-being. Here are some tips and tricks commonly used to help you manage broody hens and my experience and opinion on each.
Segregate them with airflow: When a hen becomes broody, you may need to separate her from the rest of the flock. Providing a separate space with good airflow underneath her bottom can keep her cool and prevent overheating. A well-ventilated broody coop or wire-bottomed cage, such as a dog crate is ideal. The airflow helps regulate the hen's body temperature and discourages her broodiness.
My Take: Segregating broody hens can be beneficial in certain cases, particularly if they are being bullied or if their presence is causing disruptions in the flock's egg-laying routine. By isolating a broody hen in a separate space like a dog crate, you provide her with a temporary break from her nesting area, which can help break the broodiness cycle. This method can be effective for some hens, as it disrupts their routine and encourages them to resume normal activities. However, it's important to note that not all hens respond the same way to segregation. Some may return to broodiness shortly after being reintegrated into the flock.
Frozen water bottles: Placing frozen water bottles in the broody hen's nesting area can help cool her down. The cool surface provides relief from the natural heat buildup that occurs during brooding. Make sure to wrap the frozen bottles in a cloth or towel to prevent direct contact with the hen.
My Take: This has helped my hens in the past and I’ve used this method for hen wellbeing rather than broody chicken behavior. On those very warm summer days, when a chicken is determined to sit on eggs, I’ll sneak a frozen water bottle under her, to cool her down.
Prompt removal of eggs: Collect eggs from the nesting boxes frequently, at least twice a day, when a hen is broody. Leaving eggs in the nest encourages the hen to continue brooding. Promptly removing the eggs eliminates the stimulus for her broodiness.
My Take: It is really important to collect eggs regularly when a hen is broody. Normally, I collect eggs once per day, but when a hen is broody I go out more often. When I do collect eggs, I ensure I gently push her off and out of the chicken coop for some air, food, and drink.
Blocking off nesting boxes: To discourage broody behavior, some may block off access to nesting boxes during the day. Using barriers such as boards or wire mesh to prevent hens from entering the nests can break the broody cycle by removing the familiar nesting environment.
My Take: While many people tend to use this method for their broody chickens, I do not recommend this method because it can change a hen’s behavior on where they lay their eggs and can be detrimental to gathering clean eggs, and hen training.
Letting them be broody: If you're interested in hatching chicks, allowing a broody hen to incubate eggs can be a rewarding experience. In this case, provide her with fertile eggs to hatch. Make sure to have a plan for caring for the chicks once they hatch.
My Take: I do not have a rooster and therefore have not had experience with hatching chicks but many people I know are successful at just allowing nature to take its course and let a hen hatch some babies!
Remember that broodiness typically lasts between 15 to 25 days. By implementing these management techniques, you can help reduce the duration of broodiness and ensure the health of your broody hens. Broody hens tend to sit on the nest for extended periods, neglecting food, water, and exercise. To maintain their health, gently push the hen off the eggs at least once a day. Encourage her to walk around, drink water, and eat. This ensures she stays hydrated and maintains her overall well-being.
-Sarah