Broody already :(

[Smart Red]

I am not sure this is working but the signs are good.

After trying to stop my hen from brooding by putting her in the garden for a few days - and losing pumpkin, tomatoes and cukes in the bargain, I let her have one egg to sit on. I switched the egg every day so I could use it, and left her to brood in peace for 10 days. Then, after shooing her off the nest to eat, I replaced the egg with several egg shells from breakfast. It appears that she has been wandering around the yard with the rest of the flock and her nest has been empty each time I checked today. Could it be that easy?

 

[digitS']

I think that if you once get them heading in the right direction, they will be done with that broodiness.

MontyJ, I have done exactly what Ridgerunner does. I've also blocked the nests at night so that the broody can eat and join the others on the roost (or not). She can't get into the nest until I open it 1st thing in the morning. Then, she is put right back in the box. It seems to take only about 3 or 4 days that way, too.

And, the box can be a plastic milk crate. I've just sat one on top another with a brick on top so she can't push it off. Very confining but if the hen only spends 12 out of 24 hours in there . . .

Steve