Worn down beaks

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by Michelle
(Battle Ground)

Question

Worn down beaks: We have a frizzle that is broody. Will she just stop this on her own or should we be doing something for her?

How long does it typically last, and how often does it happen? We have no roosters in our flock.

Answer
A hen can go broody weather eggs are fertilized or not. Aggressive noises and pecking at people is a sure sign that your hen is broody.

If you are not wanting your hen to hatch chicks it is usually a good idea to break your hen of her broodiness.

It is not good for the health of your hen to be broody for long periods at a time. Broody hens will want to stay in their nest all day and leave only to eat, drink and use the bathroom. " Breaking Up" a broody hen can be done using several different methods.

If the first one does not work then go to the next one.

Here are a few ways to "break up" a broody hen:

Put her in a separate pen (no eggs) away from her old nest for four to five days.

Put her in a cage with a wire bottom. This will help cool her underside. Do this for a few days.

Try putting several ice cubes under her. This may take two to three times but I have been told it works.

Put her in a pen with a very aggressive rooster. The rooster will try and mate with her, not giving her a chance to be still.

Dunking her in a cool pale of water (not to cold) has been known to work.

The Idea is to bring her brooding temperature down and hopefully she will stop being broody.

There are some people who will withhold food and water.

I believe this is very cruel and do not advise this. Always have fresh water and food available at all times.

A hen can go broody at anytime. Some hens are more broody than others. Frizzles have a tendency to be more broody than most other hens.

Dealing with broody hens is part of the chicken experience. I am sure this will not be your last broody hen.

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