This summer we have had fluctuations in the weather, and increasing temperatures can trigger broodiness in middle weight and heavy weight hens. Currently I have an automatic incubator in the family room - humidity control, creative automatic egg turning by means of devices known as "feet" and "beak" and a built in growling alarm when anyone comes near. She may be electrically powered, since anytime I touch her I get a serious shock from the beak end of the bird.
Since I'm not interested in more chickens at this time, the question becomes, what to do about Her Broodiness? Classic methods included a hanging, wire sided, bottomed, and topped cage - but not many of us keep one of those around.
I use a regular small animal cage, and provide her with food, water, and no bedding. After a few hours of this treatment she looked like she had just awoken from a trance and proceeded to eat and drink normally. She'll stay in for another day or two until she doesn't growl or strike when I reach in there, just to make sure her broodiness is "broken up."
If you have access to fertile eggs, you can put them under your hen if she is broody - just be sure to let her set for three days or so first since many hens lose interest after a short time. Be aware you may wind up with a brood of roosters, and roosters are illegal in most towns and cities.
If you want to hatch eggs, or foster chicks with a broody, there are ways to do it, which will be addressed in future columns.
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