Recent content by Herbfarmer

  1. Herbfarmer

    How to Break a Broody Hen

    So here's the follow up. What worked for me was to have her in a wire dog crate 2 feet off the ground with a perch in it and water. She stayed on the perch. I had food the first day but she wasn't eating so I stopped that. 3 times a day I let her out to join the others and forage and then...
  2. Herbfarmer

    Is my hen "broody" and what can I do about it?

    What just worked for me was to have her in a wire dog crate 2 feet off the ground with a perch in it and water. She stayed on the perch. I had food the first day but she wasn't eating so I stopped that. 3 times a day I let her out to join the others and forage and then eat. The first 2 days...
  3. Herbfarmer

    What did you do in the garden today?

    I planted the 10 Arbor Day trees and one small Rosemary, as the last 2 winters have been too cold for it to over winter. The chickens and I are working on the compost pile together which is fun. I turn it a bit and then they come and break it down.
  4. Herbfarmer

    How to Break a Broody Hen

    Wow - those are some impressive stats! Broody Rudy is doing better today, actually foraging while she's out but we had a set back yesterday with thunder and lightning and a metal crate so I let her do the nesting thing until bedtime when I got her on the roost where she stayed. Her appetite is...
  5. Herbfarmer

    How to Break a Broody Hen

    Good luck! I guess broodiness is a matter of perspective. Replying to JackE.
  6. Herbfarmer

    How to Break a Broody Hen

    Sorry to hear that. :( Is it mostly chickens without roosters who get broody? And do they do it often if prone to it? I spoke to a friend who has had 6 chickens for 3 years and she's never had a broody one.
  7. Herbfarmer

    How to Break a Broody Hen

    Thanks! I put her on the roost twice last night and then gave up, figuring she'd be in a nest this morning but she wasn't. She ate breakfast with the others and then went to the nest so she's back on her perch in the crate today. So hopefully we're making progress. I bet you're right about...
  8. Herbfarmer

    How to Break a Broody Hen

    Well, it's a safety issue and I guess if this plan doesn't work I can figure out a way to get the crate into the run but I'll see what happens tonight. I had figured she would lie on the bottom of the crate but she got on the perch within minutes.
  9. Herbfarmer

    How to Break a Broody Hen

    I'm going for crate time by day and blocking the nesting boxes at night. The grand experiment starts in a couple of hours - it's been raining but letting up and I'll want to be on hand to observe and make sure she's safe and comfortable - well, as comfortable as she can be in her current state...
  10. Herbfarmer

    How to Break a Broody Hen

    Thanks! I have so much to learn and this is a great place to help. She enters her decompression chamber later this morning.
  11. Herbfarmer

    Comment by 'Herbfarmer' in article 'Nest Box Aromatherapy'

    What a great idea! I came across this searching for herbs to help breaking a broody chicken. I was thinking maybe raspberry and red clover as a preventative. If you see this, what do you think about Rue for the nest boxes? Juliette de Bairracli Levy suggests feeding it as a parasite...
  12. Herbfarmer

    How to Break a Broody Hen

    Thanks! I'll do my best to get her out tomorrow. It's supposed to be raining everyday for a week so I'll need a cover and I think I can get the crate at least 2 feet off the ground with concrete blocks.
  13. Herbfarmer

    How to Break a Broody Hen

    I have a broody BO as well. She's about 10 months old and after reading a lot of this thread (although not all) it seems the consensus is to get her off the ground so air can cool her under side. I will start working on this tomorrow. I still have the dog crate they spent their first weeks in...
  14. Herbfarmer

    Hi from Tennessee

    Good to know about the Buff Orps! She did exactly what you said when one of the Reds looked in on her while I was cleaning the poop board. They like foraging more than the Reds so I was surprised and concerned when she didn't join the others during free range time. Then at the next outing, pre...
  15. Herbfarmer

    Hi from Tennessee

    Middle TN, NW of Nashville. I adore Spring and the girls are loving the chickweed and other "weeds." Thanks for your good wishes and Merry Spring to you and your flock!
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