So You Have a Broody Hen, Now What?

So You Have a Broody Hen, Now What?

Even the sweetest hens can turn into fierce, determined protectors when they go broody. If you’ve found your hen refusing to leave her nest, growling at anyone who approaches, or plucking her chest feathers, you may be dealing with a broody hen. Whether you're hoping to hatch chicks or need to break the cycle, understanding broodiness is key to responsible flock care.

What Is a Broody Hen?

A broody hen is simply a hen whose natural instincts have told her it’s time to hatch eggs. When this happens, she’ll sit on a clutch—fertile or not—for up to 21 days, her body temperature rising from the normal 105°F to as high as 110°F. During this time, she’ll eat and drink less, fluff her feathers, and defend her nest with surprising intensity.

For those who want to hatch chicks, broodiness is nature doing its job. But for those not looking to expand their flock, breaking the cycle can be necessary.

Signs of a Broody Hen

  • Growling or defensive behavior when approached
  • Refusing to leave the nest
  • Plucking feathers from her chest to warm the eggs
  • Fluffed posture, puffed feathers, and flattened wings
  • Reduced appetite and less time spent free-ranging

How to Break a Broody Hen

If you don’t want your hen to hatch a clutch, you’ll need to reduce her body temperature and disrupt the nesting behavior. Here are a few proven methods:

  • Isolate her in a separate crate or portable coop with no bedding materials.
  • Remove eggs frequently to discourage nesting behavior.
  • Place a cold object (like a bag of frozen peas) in her preferred nesting spot.
  • Use a wire-bottom crate elevated on bricks to allow airflow beneath her. This cooling effect can help end the broody state.
  • Try a brief soak in cool (not freezing) water up to her chest. This may need to be repeated for a few days.

A fellow chicken keeper refers to the wire crate method as “the SHU”—and while it may seem extreme, it’s often highly effective.

If You Want to Hatch Chicks

If you’d like to let your hen hatch a clutch, she’ll need a safe, separate space and attentive care. Here’s what to keep in mind:

  • Move her and her nest at night to a quiet, private area. Use a portable nesting box and relocate the whole nest at once to reduce stress.
  • Give her her own food and water, away from the rest of the flock.
  • Watch for added eggs. Other hens may try to lay in her nest. Mark or candle eggs to prevent overcrowding or confusion.
  • Add a dusting of Diatomaceous Earth or Permethrin powder to the nesting area to prevent lice and mites.
  • If you don’t have fertile eggs, you can place day-old chicks under her only after she’s been sitting for at least 20 days. This mimics the natural cycle and increases the chances she’ll accept them. Never introduce chicks too early, as it can confuse her instincts.
  • Increase her protein intake during the broody period and after hatching. A 21–23% chick starter or game feed is ideal. Once her cycle ends (typically 4–6 weeks after hatching), she can return to her regular layer feed.

The Joy of a Broody Hen

Allowing a hen to hatch her own chicks is one of the most rewarding experiences in backyard chicken keeping. Watching her teach, protect, and care for her young is a reminder of how strong and intuitive natural instincts truly are. With proper support, a broody hen can be both a challenge and a joy—and a powerful part of your flock’s life cycle.

Happy chicken keeping,
Lisa Marie Samples

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