We have been dealing with a broody chicken now for a few weeks. We have tried the easier tasks of keeping eggs from under her and pushing her off the nest (she just finds a new one). Now, we are having to get serious with her. I would love for her to hatch baby chicks but this is impossible when we do not have a rooster. Unfortunately, this is a little hard to explain to a chicken.
I read up on "broodiness" yesterday. After the chickens had all laid the eggs, we closed them out of the coop so she could not get to the nest box. We gave them food and water within the run. From what I read, decreasing her body temperature will sometimes get her out of the "that broody feeling". Apparently, there body temperature increases when they go broody to help them keep the eggs warm. She went back to the nest as soon as we opened up the coop for the night. We are going to try it again today. If that does not work, it will be solitary confinement for her for a few days in our cage we keep for sick and injured chickens. This will usually break them because they do not have a nest to sit on.
We will see how it goes. She seems to be a very persistent and stubborn chicken.
I read up on "broodiness" yesterday. After the chickens had all laid the eggs, we closed them out of the coop so she could not get to the nest box. We gave them food and water within the run. From what I read, decreasing her body temperature will sometimes get her out of the "that broody feeling". Apparently, there body temperature increases when they go broody to help them keep the eggs warm. She went back to the nest as soon as we opened up the coop for the night. We are going to try it again today. If that does not work, it will be solitary confinement for her for a few days in our cage we keep for sick and injured chickens. This will usually break them because they do not have a nest to sit on.
We will see how it goes. She seems to be a very persistent and stubborn chicken.
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