[retribution]

Have noticed that on a few occassions now one of our hens is sitting on the eggs and puffing herself up and being angry when we go to collect. we collect every day so they are not sat there very long, was wondering if we leave her to it of give her a nudge off? or if we have to get her some eggs to hatch

[Casey76]

If you do give her some eggs to sit on, do you know what you would do with any resulting boys?  (I currently have about 15 baby cockerels at the moment, but I will cull once they reach adult size and plumage and only keep one or two for breeding and showing purposes)

If you leave her to it, it is possible she will eventuqlly come out of the broodiness if you constantly remove the eggs, but it can take weeks, and she may lose a lot of weight, as hens naturally decrease thier food intake to about 1/5 of normal whilst brooding.

Personally I would keep picking her off the nest, and if possible close the nesting area off to her.  If she doesn't take the hint after a few days, try sticking her in a wire bottomed cage (dog crate with the base tray removed) sat on a couple of bricks at each corner.  As the cool air can then circulate under her, it will slowly reduce the brooding hormones, and she will come out of it.

Just don't expect overnight success