Broody ...... over 8 weeks and counting !

[ChrisBNorth]

Does anyone know if there is maximum period a chicken can be broody for - Agnes our eldest Marran went broody around 14th September and is still happily broody ! I have both repaired a leak in the nesting box (with her in it) and moved the entire hutch (2o feet or so ) with her in it and nothing seems to disturb her, If I lock her out she simply flys up onto the nesting box top and looks miserable until one of us lets her back in. I turf her off every night, collect the eggs then remake her bed.She on the other hand takes about five minutes to wake up then stretches, flys over to the food, bosses the other three for a couple of minutes then returns to her nest, generally giving as some sort of hard stare as she goes! She dos'nt look much thinner than the others but 8 weeks does seem a long time, we did'nt want to sin bin her and were told it was too cold to allow her to hatch any fertile eggs as they will need artificail heat when born. Surley after 2 months she must be near the end of this ?

[RichmondHens]

She's obviously very determined. Don't know who told you not to hatch any eggs as if the chicks are under the hen then they will have all the heat they need. Still, to ask her to sit now for another 3 weeks on top of the 8 weeks she has brooded so far might be a step too much. I rather think your only options are to sin bin her, or just carry on as you are, and leave nature to take its course.

[Nicos]

Mine hatched their chicks in February and raised them without me interfering..
Yes we lost a few but to be honest I'd give her some fertile eggs and let her get on with it. Either that or lock her out for 4 days and no access to a box when she's indoors. Give her lots of leaves to scratch around in to distract her...poor thing really wants to be a mummy

......go on ..it's nearly Xmas!!!

[Eco-Chic]

Ooh yes Christmas chicks so much nicer than Easter ones

What a very determined lady she is.

[ChrisBNorth]

Thanks, I was leaving nature to take its course but that course just seems a little longer than we expected, but as you say asking her to sit now for another 3 weeks is probably a bit too much (unless she decides to spend all christmas inside!) in which case I will put some fertile eggs under her ini december.

[moola]

just be careful Chris - she may well be losing condition sitting for that long and at this time of the year. Sin bin during the day, garage at night?