Broody and hen-pecked... please help

I've been away from the computer for what seems like ages as two Jack Russell pups have joined the menagerie so as you can imagine very little time for anything else!  The girls are all doing fine (touch wood) that was until Dandelion went broody around a week ago. She's full blown broody, won't leave the nest, bare chest patch, crowing at the other girls when they come near her etc. I've put her in a large wire dog crate within sight of the other girls and inside the large run. She's been in for five days now, mainly for her own protection as Cowslip and Primrose had started attacking her, they had pecked at her comb and made it bleed  . Sweet Pea is living up to her name and just plodding around taking no notice. I've been letting Dandy out of the cage at bedtime so that she can go into the coop to sleep as I can't take chances with Mr Fox, he just might get into the big run or walk by and frighten her to death. I've also been misting her broody patch with water hoping to cool her down. She'd quitened down a little over the last couple of days so I've tried her back with the girls, keeping the coop pop hole closed to stop her going straight back on the nest. My biggest worry now is that the two top girls are making a beeline for her, trying to attack her. She then makes even more noise etc which in turn makes them all the more determined to have a go at her. Any ideas would be so welcome as I no longer know what to do for the best.

Thank you, Jan.x 

It's such a worry isn't it Henlady as it's stressful enough for a hen to be broody let alone being attacked by other girls who were once so friendly. Dandy is happy being picked up too and seems to get some comfort from the contact. I would get her eggs to sit on but what to do with any cockerels that might be in the clutch?

Not too sure about 8 months being too young to look after chicks but wouldn't have thought it was?

Best of luck with your broody girl, Jan.x

Does the crate have a wire bottom?  Is it lifted off the ground to let the air circulate underneath her?

For food and water you can use the clip on D cups you get for caged birds so there is literally nothing to sit on.

Don't let her out to st on anything comfy.  On a night put the crate inside the hen house (on bricks or similar)

If it is warm out, you may want to try giving her a cold bath (about vent high) to cool her underside.

Thank you both, I feel there's a chance she'll be fine now.

Casey, the crate does have a wire bottom but its touching the ground, she looked so stressed when I lifted it off the ground as she tried to step around with wires in her way, I will try it again though as it seems as if that's the idea to stop her sitting. I had tried spraying her to cool her down with a misting bottle but she only has to see it now and goes mad. I'll try the cool bath as it's really hot here today.

Hillfooter,  the other two girls had pecked at her comb so badly that it was bleeding and raw in places, it has only just healed properly. I imagine it is the pecking order thing as the two top girls were responsible. Will keep her in the cage as suggested to stop them getting at her but make it less comfortable in there for her. I'm so re-assured that she won't starve as that's what was really worrying me, she seems so 'light' compared to the other girls.

Jan.x