[Elcie]

Hi everyone, seven weeks into chicken keeping and I have my first broody hen.  I thought something was wrong this morning when she stayed in the Eglu for a couple of hours.  I eventually lifted her off and took the two eggs away (one of the other hens had been in during this time and laid) and opened the run so that they could have their usual freerange in the afternoon.

Unfortunately, after a short while free ranging she then went back into the Eglu.  I have now closed the Eglu door so that she can't get in although she is trying to.  What should I do?  Should I leave it closed so that she can't get in or just let her go in there?

Any help is very grateful received.

Thank you.

[joyfull]

depends if you want her to hatch chicks or not. As I assume not then after they have laid their eggs you will have to remove the eggs and shut her our. This may go on for a few weeks.

[Elcie]

depends if you want her to hatch chicks or not. As I assume not then after they have laid their eggs you will have to remove the eggs and shut her our. This may go on for a few weeks.

Thanks for that Joyfull.  No, I don't want her to hatch chicks (well I might but the OH says no!) so will have to remove her.  My biggest problem is that on Monday I am back at work so won't be able to do that unfortunately.  Mind you one week to go then I am off for 6 weeks so hopefully will break her broodiness during that time.

[Ruby Red]

 
 I have a 3 year old silver Wyandotte who has been broody for 4 weeks now. When I first had the hens I was worried with them not eating or joining the others in the garden, but Im totally relaxed about it now. She DOES come out for food when SHE wants . I drop the egg collecting box door and there she is sitting on everybody elses eggs. To prevent her from pecking me, I reach in from behind between her legs and remove all the eggs. She curses me but shes fine. I wouldnt bother shutting her out it seems a shame it will pass after a few weeks.

[woodside farm]

I have found that most broodies will come out for food and water at some point during the day, the only broodies that I remove from the nest are the ones I don't want to be broody.

Michelle xx