3/7/2020

Oh, the broody hen dilemma! If you're a backyard chicken keeper, chances are you've encountered this interesting phase in your flock's life, or you will soon. I remember the first time one of my girls went broody – I was completely new to it and had no idea what was going on! She just sat there, feathers fluffed, refusing to move, and giving me the stink eye every time I tried to collect eggs. It felt like she'd transformed overnight! So, what exactly is a broody hen? Essentially, it's when a hen's maternal instincts kick in, causing her to want to sit on eggs to hatch them, even if those eggs aren't fertile. It's a natural behavior driven by hormones, and while it's adorable if you're planning on hatching chicks, it can be a bit of a challenge if you're not. From my experience, certain breeds are more prone to broodiness, like Cochins, Silkies, and Orpingtons, but any hen can decide to go broody. How Do You Spot a Broody Hen? Identifying a broody hen is pretty straightforward once you know what to look for. Here are the tell-tale signs I've learned to watch out for: Constant Nest Box Occupancy: This is the most obvious sign. She'll be glued to the nest box, often for days, even weeks, on end. She might only leave briefly once a day to eat, drink, and relieve herself, and these trips are usually super quick. Fluffed Feathers & Growling: When you approach or try to move her, she'll often fluff up her feathers to look bigger, make growling or hissing noises, and might even peck at you. It's her way of saying, "These are MY eggs!" The Broody Patch: If you can safely check her underside, you might notice she's plucked feathers from her belly. This exposes her skin, which helps transfer her body heat directly to the eggs, keeping them at the perfect temperature for development. It's quite a commitment! Egg Hoarding: She'll often try to gather as many eggs as possible under her, even if they're not hers. I've found my broody hens sitting on a dozen eggs or more! Cessation of Laying: A broody hen stops laying eggs herself. Since her body is focused on incubation, egg production halts for the duration of her broodiness. Reduced Eating/Drinking: Because she's so dedicated to sitting, she'll eat and drink much less than usual, which can lead to weight loss and dehydration if she's broody for an extended period. My Tips for Dealing with a Broody Hen Once you've confirmed you have a broody hen, you have a couple of choices based on your goals: If You Want Chicks: Congratulations! If you have a rooster and fertile eggs, or if you've placed fertile eggs under her, let her do her thing. Make sure she has easy access to food and water nearby, as she won't want to stray far. Keep the nesting area clean and secure from predators or other curious flock members. She'll typically sit for 21 days for chicken eggs. If You Don't Want Chicks (Breaking Broodiness): This is often the more common scenario for backyard keepers. It's important to break broodiness for the hen's health, as prolonged sitting can lead to weight loss, dehydration, and increased vulnerability to parasites. Here's what I've found works: Daily Eviction: Gently but firmly remove her from the nest box multiple times a day. Place her outside the coop, near food and water, to encourage her to socialize and move around. This often works for mild cases. Remove Eggs: Continuously remove all eggs from the nest box as soon as they are laid. Without eggs to sit on, her instinct might lessen. The Broody Breaker Coop: This is my most effective method. It's a small, comfortable wire-bottomed cage (like a dog crate with a wire floor) placed in a well-lit, draft-free area, but away from the main nest boxes. The wire floor allows air to circulate and cools her underside, which helps reduce the hormonal urge to brood. Provide food and water. I usually keep a hen in there for 2-3 days until she's no longer fluffed up and is moving around normally. It sounds a bit harsh, but it's humane and effective! Cooling Off: Some people gently dip their hen's belly in cool water or place her on a cool, concrete floor for a short period. The sudden temperature change can help reset her hormones. I haven't personally tried the dip, but I have found just getting them out into the run on a cool day can help. Remember, patience is key. Sometimes it takes a few days, or even a week, to break a broody hen. But taking action is important for her well-being. Good luck with your flock!