Expert: Abi - 7/13/2008

Question
I have a cicken who has been broody now for 23 days. I ve been given differing advice but shes now getting a bit aggressive to the other hens and has stopped laying. I have removed all eggs from the others and tried to keep her away from the nest box but shes back before you know it!Please advise???

Answer
There's no set way of stopping a chicken being broody. You'll try one thing and it'll look like it works, but then ten minutes later she's back in the nest box clucking for her 'chicks'. It's something you have to put up with. There are a few methods to keep them out for longer but they don't work forever.

1. Dunk her in cold water. Broodies go broody because they are hot. Pushing her belly down into cold water cools her body and her hormones. You may think this is cruel; if in doubt, don't do it.

2. Keep her in an area she can't sit, she can only perch. Just make it thoroughly uncomfortable for her to sit in a nest box. Fill it with sticks, stones and other nasty things and she might get the idea.

3. Keep her away from all the other chickens and LET her be broody, but put lots of food and water close by so she doesn't lose condition whilst broody.

4. Give her eggs to hatch!!

Sorry I couldn't be of more help!