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A broody hen is a hen that has stopped laying eggs and is sitting on a nest in an attempt to hatch eggs. While a broody hen can be a natural and normal occurrence, it can also be a problem for backyard chicken keepers. In this article, we will explore some of the ways to discourage a broody hen and prevent her from going into a broody state.
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Remove eggs: One of the most effective ways to discourage a broody hen is to remove the eggs from her nest. This will break the cycle of sitting on the eggs and encourage her to get up and move around.
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Provide a distraction: Give the broody hen something to do other than sitting on her nest. Provide her with a new and interesting environment or a new toy to play with.
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Cold water treatment: A cold water bath can be used to discourage a broody hen. This can be done by placing her in a shallow container of cold water for a short period of time.
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Keep the coop cool: Keeping the coop cool can also help to discourage a broody hen. This can be done by providing good ventilation and making sure that the coop does not get too hot.
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Isolate the broody hen: If all else fails, isolating the broody hen from the rest of the flock can be an effective way to discourage her. This can be done by placing her in a separate coop or pen where she cannot sit on eggs.
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Consult with a veterinarian: If you are unsure of how to discourage a broody hen, it's best to consult with a veterinarian who can recommend the best course of action.
In summary, discouraging a broody hen requires a combination of different strategies such as removing eggs, providing a distraction, cold water treatment, keeping the coop cool, isolating the broody hen and consulting with a veterinarian. It's important to keep in mind that each hen is different and what works for one may not work for another. It's also important to note that going broody is a natural behavior for hens and that it's not always necessary to discourage them, it depends on the individual case and the goals of the backyard chicken keeper.