How long does broodiness continue?

[Eco-Chic]

Myrtle No Knicks has been broody since 14th December. I forcibly lift her out so she'll eat and drink and then she does go running, wing flapping and squawking across the garden and have a bit of a root about. Then she resumes brooding.

I've removed the nest box but this isn't deterring her (or the two who are laying).

At night I pick her up and put her on the perch so she can have corn, mealy worm or mash supper with her sisters. Her appetite is good. When she's stuffed her crop she hops off the perch and broods again.

Poultry spice, garlic and ACV are added to their feed and water.

Her wattles and comb are very pale so I don't think she can be laying. This isn't a worry, I'd prefer her energy goes to growing new knickers and vest.

Should I be doing anything to deter her, or just let her get on with it? She seems well in herself and doesn't appear to have lost weight.

[MaureenHall]

Personally, at this time of the year I'd let her get on with it! She'll get fed up eventually when there's no babies to look after. Mind you, I'd be saying something different if it was a bit later in the year

[Eco-Chic]

If it was a bit later in the year she'd be brooding on newspaper! Not that that would necessarily deter her either. She scooped a depression in the wet earth under the coop when I locked her out. Daft girl.