If you have chickens, it is only natural to expect that one or more of them will go into a broody state from time to time.
However, if your hen remains in this condition for too long, it can cause numerous issues not just with her but also in the entire flock. Fortunately, several simple ways exist how to stop a broody hen.
What is a Broody Hen?
When a hen’s hormone levels change, she develops an acute nesting intuition and is dubbed a “broody hen.” The female chicken may find herself in this brooding phase as her hormones fluctuate.
It’s a trigger where she desires to incubate eggs to hatch them. This behavior is typical amongst hens bred for egg-laying. It can happen periodically or throughout the year.
During this time, these birds will cease egg-laying and become aggressive if their nests are meddled with. Their bodies respond to the hormones running through them, causing a puffed-up or swollen appearance that is easily visible.
In addition, broody hens will show distinct behavioral changes. During their brooding period, they usually reduce their movements and concentrate mainly on resting in the nest. They also protectively guard their nest against possible risks.
During this time, they would also decline to lay eggs. Furthermore, the chicken can go without eating and drinking for extensive periods. It could lead to weight loss and health issues if not promptly addressed.
How to Stop a Broody Hen?
Remember that it may take a great deal of patience and multiple attempts to break the broodiness of hens. Regarding their broody mood, some chickens are more committed than others, making other methods necessary for success. Don’t give up—stay persistent!
1. Remove the Hen from the Nest
Deterring a broody hen from continuing her nesting behavior is possible. Physically remove her from the nest and place her in an area without access to eggs.
Separating the hen from its nest can cause it to forget about brooding. It’s because isolation averts the chickens from having any prospect of incubating eggs.
If you happen to spot a hen showing signs of brooding, it will be an endeavor to attempt to remove her from the nest. She will likely guard it with utmost defense and remain in that area no matter what!
To end her broodiness and reset her reproductive system, removing the eggs is a reliable solution that avoids using punitive measures. It will help to break the bond between egg and nest while providing an effective way of ending broody behavior in hens.
With that said, taking the hen away from her nest removes the external stimuli, which might cause broody behavior. It will limit the hormonal changes liable for this state and distract her from incubating the eggs.
2. Lower the Hen’s Body Temperature
Consider immersing a broody hen in cold water to interrupt the hormones responsible for inducing broodiness. This sudden transition will cause its blood vessels to constrict. Thus, reducing blood flow through its reproductive organs and decreasing hormone levels, such as estrogen, can promote broodiness.
By dampening the hen’s hormone levels, we can reset her incubation period and stop any sign of broody behavior. Also, immersing her in water serves as both a physical diversion and an alternate environment—lowering her fixation on potential eggs.
To keep your chicken safe, ensure the water is not too cold. Sudden exposure to icy or near-freezing temperatures could shock the chicken and risk its well-being.
3. Close Off the Coop
If you want to prevent a hen from reproducing, the key is to carefully regulate her exposure to light. By always closing her coop door at night, you’ll interrupt the chicken’s hormonal cycle and stop estrogen and melatonin levels from rising.
These hormones are liable for triggering broody behavior. So, by limiting these hormones through careful regulation of light exposure, your chickens will remain fruitful no longer! By controlling their exposure to light throughout the day, you can keep your chickens from entering the brooding state.
To regulate a hen’s circadian rhythm, and prevent the hormonal surges that trigger brooding, make sure to keep your chicken coop firmly closed each night with consistent lighting.
Further, keeping hens away from their nests during nighttime is vital as this will reduce the time they spend in there and reduce any symptoms of broodiness.
4. Provide Distraction
If you have a broody hen, it will likely stay in the nest and devote all its energy to her eggs. However, you can distract your pet by providing fun activities such as toys and treats that offer novel experiences! It will help redirect your bird’s attention while helping alleviate its broodiness.
To begin, offer a foraging toy with treats that will engage her mentally or provide an activity-oriented item, such as a chicken swing which can help distract her attention away from any broodiness triggers.
Diversion is the key to keeping your hen from brooding, and these four strategies will keep her content. With this variety of fun activities, your hen won’t be broody at no time!
Why Do Hens Get Broody?
Different levels of hormones and external factors can cause hens to become broody, making the exact reasons for this phenomenon depend on the breed and living conditions.
Regardless, it appears that extended periods of darkness or diminished lighting may act as a catalyst for this particular behavior occurring. Also, having an egg-filled nest could be the trigger to initiate such behavior.
Estrogen is a prime factor for a hen’s broodiness. When an egg is produced, this hormone triggers physical and psychological changes prompting the bird to enter brooding mode. But aside from hormonal factors, there are other causes that explain why hens may feel drawn towards nest-sitting:
- Hormonal changes: An increase in estrogen levels often serves as the catalyst for a hen going into broodiness. The egg-laying process triggers an array of hormonal shifts that propel this behavior, creating an integral part of their natural cycle.
- Environmental cues: As the days get longer during spring and summer, they can awaken a hen’s brooding instinct. When eggs are present in her nest, it often serves as a sign for the hen to commence incubation. It signals that now is the perfect time to start hatching them. When chickens feel stressed due to a change in their environment or the loss of a companion, they can experience broody behavior.
- Genetics: Chickens of certain breeds are biologically inclined to brood more so than their peers. It appears this trait may be determined by genetics as they have heightened sensitivity towards many brooding stimuli.
- Nesting Conditions: Chickens with a secure, quiet nesting area to lay their eggs in will be more likely to become broody. It’s especially true if the hen comes in a flock inside one pen. Chickens can also be triggered to be broody by the presence of other hens in their flock that are already nesting.
- Lack of egg collection: When chickens’ eggs are not harvested, the hens can become broody, as if believing it’s time to hatch and raise their little ones.
It’s crucial to remember that broodiness can turn into a major issue in commercial poultry farming. It can decrease egg production and potentially create health risks if the brooding period lasts too long.
How Long Do Hens Stay Broody?
A hen’s broody period may vary in length depending on the breed of chicken, number of eggs, and environment. With such variables at play, it can be challenging to define an exact timeline for a broody mood.
Generally, a hen’s broodiness period will last for about three weeks. However, there are times when it can be shorter or longer—from only a few days up to six weeks or more! The amount of eggs available for her to incubate is the key factor that determines how long this state lasts.
If a hen’s eggs fail to be fertilized, she will typically stop brooding after several days. Conversely, if her egg-laying activities were profitable and there were fertile eggs in the nest, she won’t leave until they hatch or become infertile, at which point she’ll move on.
What Chicken Breeds are More Broody?
If you’re searching for a chicken breed with an inherited drive to mother, some varieties are more recognized for their broodiness than others.
These chickens have a natural tendency towards maternity and are more likely to become broody than other breeds. The most common breeds that are known to be more broody include:
- Plymouth Rock: If you’re searching for a loyal, reliable mother hen in your flock, no breed is more committed than the Plymouth Rock chicken! These birds are praised for their strong maternal traits and instinct to incubate eggs. In fact, they often go broody at even just a suggestion of hatching a clutch – now that’s devoted parenthood!
- Cochin: Cochins are well-known for their calmness and affinity to brood, even with no egg present. This gentle breed of chicken is very devoted when it comes to caring for eggs or chicks, often becoming broody at the slightest hint. They make great mothers by nature and tend to be fiercely defensive over any offspring they may have.
- Silkies: Silkies are widely renowned for their incredibly soft feathers and strong mothering instincts. They possess a profound tendency to be broody, particularly if given the slightest chance.
- Sussex: Sussex chickens are incredibly nurturing, showing their chicks the utmost care and attention. Highly broody, they don’t hesitate to take on the role of mother when given a chance. This devotion is distinctive among other breeds—making them exemplary moms!
Here is a selection of particularly broody chicken breeds. Nonetheless, there are other varieties to choose from. Besides that, the level of broodiness can be erratic depending on numerous factors, such as nearby eggs in their nestbox and shifting conditions during different times of the year.
In Summary
By adhering to these simple steps, you can quickly and easily put an end to a broody hen. These four methods on how to stop a broody hen will be sure to bring peace and harmony back into your flock in no time!
