There you are—just trying to collect some eggs—and suddenly your sweetest hen turns into a puffed-up velociraptor with murder in her eyes.
Congrats. You’ve got a broody hen.
Whether she’s gently growling or straight-up lunging like she’s defending a dragon egg, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how to figure out what kind of broody you’re dealing with—and what to do next.
Broody Hen Mood Types (Yes, This is Real 😉):
(Okay, this isn’t an official scale… but if you know, you know.)
🐔 The Ferocious Feathered Dragon
Growls, lunges, pecks, flares up like a bird possessed. She will defend that nest with her life—even if it’s just golf balls under her.
Pro tip: Tongs help.
🐔 The Mildly Irritated Auntie
She grumbles, does a warning peck, but will let you do your thing with some gentle talking (and maybe a bribe).
Pro tip: Move slow and speak nicely like you’re apologizing to your grandma.
🐔 The Chill Pancake
Lets you lift her, move her, and plop her into a new spot without protest. May wiggle back into her new nest like she’s fluffing a hotel pillow.
Pro tip: Frame her in gold.
So… What Are Your Options?
💡 Let Her Hatch
If you’ve got fertile eggs, this is nature doing its thing. Just make sure the nest is:
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Clean and safe
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Not shared with other hens (who will lay in it anyway, because chickens love drama)
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In a solid, cozy nest box that she won’t abandon halfway through
🧯 Break the Broody
If she’s sitting on nothing, being bullied, or losing too much weight, it might be time.
Options include:
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Frequent removal
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Blocking off the box
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“Broody breaker” crate with wire bottom to cool her belly (sounds mean, but it really not and works)
⚠ DON’T:
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Let her sit endlessly without eggs
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Ignore her food/water needs
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Panic (unless she’s showing signs of illness—this is normal behavior)
🪺 Make Nest Boxes Work For You, Not Against You
A good nest box makes all the difference for broodies and layers alike. You want:
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Comfortable depth and privacy
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Easy access for you and her
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Easy-to-clean surfaces (because broody poop... yikes)
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Durability for the inevitable hen tantrum
We use this exact one on the farm—and it’s Clancy Approved:
👉 My Cozy Nest
Clancy Crowed It:
“Broody hens aren’t broken. They’re just done with your nonsense.”
Final Thoughts:
Broodiness isn’t a flaw—it’s a feature. Especially in landrace chickens, it’s one of the key traits that’s been naturally selected and preserved over generations. Why?
Because self-sufficient birds who can hatch and raise their own chicks are vital for real, resilient flocks.
In fact, one of the main reasons we love breeds like the Icelandic or Hedemora is that they haven’t lost their mothering instincts in favor of show points or production numbers. These birds remember how to do what chickens were always meant to do.
So whether you let her hatch or gently redirect her energy, know this: that broody hen is proof your flock’s instincts are still strong—and that’s worth celebrating.
