Hey everyone! 👋
Broody hens can be a blessing or a challenge—depending on whether you want more chicks or just eggs! A broody hen will stop laying and sit on eggs (fertile or not), often refusing to leave the nest. So, should you break the broodiness or let her hatch eggs? Let’s break it down!
🐔 Signs of a Broody Hen
✔ Stays in the nesting box for days at a time
✔ Fluffs up & growls when disturbed
✔ Plucks her own chest feathers to warm eggs
✔ Stops laying new eggs & only sits on existing ones
✅ How to Encourage a Broody Hen to Hatch Chicks
If you want her to hatch eggs, set her up for success:
- Use fertilized eggs from your flock or buy hatching eggs. 🥚
- Place her in a quiet, private nesting area (other hens may add eggs to her nest!).
- Provide food & water nearby—broody hens eat less but still need nutrients.
- Candle eggs at 7 days to check for fertility. 🔦
- Expect chicks to hatch after 21 days—let mama do her thing! 🐣
❌ How to Break a Broody Hen (If You Don’t Want Chicks)
If you don’t want her to stay broody (because she’ll stop laying & can lose weight), try these tricks:
🚫 Remove her from the nesting box several times a day.
💨 Cool her down—place her in a well-ventilated crate (no bedding) for a few days.
🔦 Block off nest boxes at night to discourage sitting.
🥚 Collect eggs frequently—don’t let her hoard them!
💬 Have you had a stubborn broody hen? Did you let her hatch or break the broodiness? Share your experiences & tips below! 📸👇🐔🐣
