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Brooding hen #751441

Asked May 22, 2021, 10:45 AM EDT

I have a hen that for the past week doesn’t want to leave the nesting box. I carry her out twice each day. She will then try to tip the water container over and runs around like a crazy hen. She doesn’t have any interest when I bring out the vegetable treats. What is happening to her? She is a buff Orpington

Maricopa County Arizona

Expert Response

Your hen has very likely gone "broody". That means she wants to sit on eggs until they hatch. That would be around 21 days, but of course if there is no rooster present, the eggs won't be fertile, and won't ever hatch. 

There are a number of websites that talk about broodiness in hens, especially Buff Orpingtons. A few are:



If the eggs are unfertilized, you need to break the hen's desire to sit on them. She might stay on them until she starves. 

Let me know if you have any questions. 

Wayne Martin



On Sat, May 22, 2021 at 9:45 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

Hi Wayne,

Question #0021372 has been assigned to you by SYSTEM (Auto Assignment)

Brooding hen

I have a hen that for the past week doesn’t want to leave the nesting box. I carry her out twice each day. She will then try to tip the water container over and runs around like a crazy hen. She doesn’t have any interest when I bring out the vegetable treats. What is happening to her? She is a buff Orpington

From: S Chefalo
Submitted: 05/22/2021 10:45 AM


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Wayne Martin
Extension Educator
Alternative Livestock Systems
University of Minnesota Extension Service
385 AnSc/VetMed Bldg, 1988 Fitch Ave
St Paul, MN 55108
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An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 24, 2021, 1:24 PM EDT

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