If you're a poultry keeper or farmer, you may have encountered a broody hen at some point.
Broodiness is a natural instinct in hens, triggering them to sit on a nest of eggs in an effort to hatch them. While broodiness can be advantageous if you're aiming to expand your flock, it can also be problematic if you're not interested in raising chicks or if it lasts for an extended period. In such cases, knowing how to break a broody hen becomes essential.
In this article, we will explore the phenomenon of broodiness, its causes, and most importantly provide you with effective strategies to help break your broody hen's determination. By understanding the underlying reasons behind broodiness and implementing the appropriate techniques, you can encourage your hen to resume normal behavior and maintain optimal flock productivity.
Signs of a Broody Hen
There are a few warning signs that a hen is about to be broody. A hen may begin to stay closer to the coop than usual, stop eating, or avoid other hens. For me, the most telling sign is when a normally docile hen begins to be mean to her coop mates. The hen may hiss or peck another chicken, or it may fluff itself up and threaten the other hens.
If you notice any of these behaviors, begin collecting eggs as frequently as possible. If she doesn't have any eggs to sit on, you might be able to prevent the cycle from starting.
If you free-range your chickens and notice a significant decrease in egg production, this could indicate the presence of a broody hen on your property. A hen will begin collecting eggs for her nest shortly before going broody. This entails taking them from your nesting boxes. She will tuck an egg under her wing, carry it to her chosen location, and then return for another. I caught Broody Betty with 15 eggs earlier this year. We have only 22 hens. She had stolen nearly all of the eggs that day!
Taking Away the Eggs
To break the broody cycle in most chickens, you can remove the eggs they're sitting on for a few days. They tend to lose interest in constantly finding new eggs to incubate and decide that the potential chicks aren't worth the effort. It usually takes about a week for a broody hen like Betty to stop stealing eggs and give up.
To remove the eggs, gently reach your hand beneath the chicken and take them out. It's best to approach from the back because broody hens are usually not receptive to this and may peck at you if you try from the front. There's no need to lift or push the hen off the nest, as this will only make her irritable and increase the chances of her attacking you.
Once you have all the eggs, some chickens will hop off the nest and wander away, while others may remain and sulk. Betty, the broody hen, even cries. I'm not joking, folks. She stands near her empty nest, lowers her head, and whimpers. It makes me feel like a huge monster every time.
Getting Rid of the Bedding
After removing the eggs, getting rid of the bedding can discourage a hen from returning to the nest. Hens who plan on incubating for a few weeks prefer a comfortable environment, so removing the bedding makes the nest less appealing. After all, would you want to sit on a hard board for several weeks? I wouldn't, and the hens feel the same way.
If you own multiple hens that lay eggs, make sure to leave bedding in the nesting boxes other than the one preferred by broody hens. Removing the bedding from their preferred box can discourage them from sitting on it.
Deceive Them
If you have a hen like Betty and you can't bear to see her distressed, you can deceive her. What I mean is that you can replace the eggs with something else, such as golf balls or fake eggs. This method can be effective with some hens, but others may see through your trick. I once thought I was clever by removing an egg from under a hen and replacing it with a golf ball, only to find the golf ball kicked out and new eggs under the hen the next day.
Well, that didn't fool those smart chickens.
The downside of this approach is that it will prolong the hen's broody cycle, meaning she won't lay eggs and you won't be able to use the nesting box.
Dealing with Aggressive Broody Hens
Broody hens are not the friendliest creatures, and some can be downright hostile. The good news is that most of them engage in more aggressive displays than actual attacks. If you have an extremely aggressive hen, there are some simple precautions you can take to keep yourself safe when dealing with her.
Wear a long-sleeved shirt or sweatshirt. Use heavy leather gloves to protect your hands. If possible, have a friend present to assist you, dressed in the same protective attire.
Always reach under the hen from behind. If your nesting box doesn't allow this, you may need to move her away from the nest. Even if your broody hen is aggressive, you still need to remove the eggs from under her at least every other day.
Otherwise, you'll end up with more chicks or a smelly mess in your coop. (Believe me, I've learned this the hard way!)
Having a broody hen isn't the end of the world. It might be a bit inconvenient for a few days, but it will pass.
