What is a Broody Chicken? And What to Do About It

What is a broody chicken? It’s that one hen who suddenly morphs into a nesting box goblin, camped out like she owns the place, puffed up to twice her size, and ready to peck your hand off if you so much as look at her eggs.

She’s gone full hormonal diva, and while it might seem cute at first, broodiness can quickly turn into a coop-wide cluckfest of problems. So why does it happen, and how do you deal with it without losing your pecking order? Let’s crack this one wide open.

The Broody Breakdown

To put it simply, a broody chicken is a hen who’s decided it’s baby time. Her maternal instincts have kicked into high gear, and she’s made it her life’s mission to hatch eggs, any eggs, all eggs, even imaginary eggs.

This behavior is 100% natural. Certain breeds like Silkies, Orpingtons, and Cochins are practically programmed to go broody at the drop of a beak. But even non-broody breeds can surprise you. 

It’s hormonal, seasonal, and sometimes totally random. Here’s what you’ll notice:

• She refuses to leave the nesting box
• She puffs up and growls when approached
• She stops laying eggs
• She plucks feathers from her chest to create a warm nest
• Her poop becomes giant, smelly, once-a-day “broody bombs”

Why a Broody Chicken Can Be a Problem in Your Coop

If your hen is truly sitting on fertile eggs and you want chicks, great. Let her do her thing, but if your eggs aren’t fertilized (hello, no rooster) or you don’t want more mouths to feed, broodiness can be a real buzzkill.

Broody hens stop laying, stop socializing, eat less, and can even lose weight or become dehydrated if it goes on too long. Worst case? A bacterial mess in the nest or mites in all that stationary fluff. No, thank you.

That’s why knowing what is a broody chicken isn’t just trivia, it’s backyard chicken survival 101.

So What Can You Do About a Broody Chicken?

If you’re fine letting her ride it out, you totally can. Some broody spells last a few days, while others stretch for weeks. But if you’re looking to break the broody spell (and trust us, your flock will thank you), here’s your plan:

1. Block Her Nesting Box to Break the Broody Chicken Cycle

The first step in breaking broody behavior is giving her nowhere to brood. The moment you notice your hen getting clingy with her favorite nesting spot, it’s time to shut it down. Literally. Block off access to the nesting box at night and start collecting eggs as frequently as possible during the day. Broodiness is all about location and opportunity; take away the cozy setup, and you remove the temptation to settle in and play mama.

If you’re already using CoopShield—Herbal Pest Defense for Chicken, you’ve got an extra leg up. Those nest boxes are being coated with mite-repelling herbal magic, which not only freshens the space but discourages pests from turning your hen’s broody vacation into a bug-infested hotel. It’s one less battle to fight while you’re helping her break the broody spell.

2. Evict With Love

Sometimes you’ve got to be the boss hen. If your broody girl refuses to leave the nest, it’s time for a gentle eviction, yes, with love, but with purpose. Pick her up and remove her from the nesting box a few times a day to interrupt the broody cycle and remind her that life exists beyond those fluffy nesting fantasies. She might grumble, puff up, or throw a dramatic squawk fit, but don’t take it personally. It’s not you, it’s hormones.

Once she’s out and about, redirect her attention with a few irresistible bribes. Offer snacks like chopped cucumber, scrambled eggs, or a sprinkle of high-protein treats. If she’s already on our Herb Supplement for Backyard Chickens, her body’s getting that extra nutritional boost to help her bounce back faster. It’s all about shifting her focus from hatching eggs to pecking, foraging, and being her usual sassy self again.

3. The Cold Bottom Trick

It may sound a little out there, but trust us, this old-school trick works wonders. When a hen is deep in broody mode, her body temperature rises to keep those imaginary eggs warm. The goal? Cool her down where it counts. Set her up in a wire-bottom crate (a dog kennel works great), raised a few inches off the ground so air can circulate underneath. That gentle airflow helps drop her core temperature and tells her hormones the baby boom is over.

While she’s in her temporary chill zone, don’t forget the essentials. Keep her shaded, well-fed, and hydrated with AquaBoost – Electrolytes and Probiotics for Backyard Chickens. Most hens snap out of their broody funk in a day or two with this method. It’s like a reset button for her reproductive system, with a breeze.

4. Bust Boredom

A bored hen is a broody hen just waiting to happen. Once you’ve broken her nesting habit, keep that momentum going with a little coop entertainment. Add new perches, hang leafy greens, or scatter treats for foraging. Movement and mental stimulation help break that hormonal loop and remind her there’s more to life than sitting on invisible eggs.

The bonus? Active, engaged hens are far less likely to go broody again. Keep the coop fun, and she’ll stay focused on pecking, playing, and laying.

5. Boost Her Health

The longer she’s broody, the more her health can slip. Make sure she’s getting a powerhouse diet even while on the nest. Our Herb Supplement for Backyard Chickens isn’t just for show; its blend of garlic, oregano, ginger, and red pepper supports immunity, digestion, and gives her body a nudge back toward balance. Plus, rodents hate the spicy kick, so no freeloaders in the nest.

When to Let Her Brood

Sometimes, broodiness is a blessing in disguise. If you do have fertilized eggs and want chicks, let her sit! Broody hens make wonderful mamas, protective, warm, and surprisingly patient.

Just be sure she’s nesting in a safe, predator-proof spot, has easy access to AquaBoost water and feed, and gets a wellness once-over every day. You don’t want parasites or dehydration sneaking in while she’s in full mother-hen mode.

Remember: not all hens return to their usual pecking-order selves immediately after. She might stay hormonal or go broody again sooner than you expect. Keep those coop vibes positive and those herbs flowing.

Broody No More

Now that you know exactly what a broody chicken is, you’re ready to handle it like a pro. Whether you’re hatching chicks or just trying to get your hen back to brunching with the flock, a little patience and a few strategic moves go a long way.

Broody hens may be dramatic, moody, and slightly terrifying, but deep down, it’s all about instinct. With the right tools, a little sass, and the Buff Clucks goods in your corner, you can break the spell and bring harmony back to the coop.