Arizona Chickens

[Arizona Son]

Ugh! OK now I have a hen going broody!! What is going on here? Why are we all getting broodies in the heat of summer? Mine are hatchery production reds. I didn't think this was supposed to happen. I have 4 girls all about 8 1/2 months old, pretty regular layers with a little slow down due to the heat. A couple nights ago she decided to sleep in the nest box, I didn't think much of it since the boxes are very close to their roost. Then she started acting weird, strange clucking noises, picking at her food. We are not home all day to observe but we let them out of the run every evening. She has been coming out with her sisters to run around the lawn and have snacks, but then moseys back to the coop and starts sitting. She also comes down to have breakfast when I feed in the morning, but just picks then heads back up there.

Last night I took her off the nest, she does let me do that, and made her play out on the lawn. She stayed for a good 20 minutes then back to the nest. Our coop is in full shade all day but it is still hotter in the nest box than the run. None of my birds have yet to show signs of heat stress for which I am thankful. What is the harm in letting nature take its course and let her be broody without any eggs to sit on, or any chicks to give her? Is it crucial to break her? I know she isn't eating very much and when I picked her up she felt lighter but that could be my worrisome nature.

This year I have had more birds go broody than I can ever remember. For the 1st time, I had hens in every single one of my coops go broody, and often simultaneously. Even among breeds not at all known for their broodiness. I too, was thinking this must be some kind of hen conspiracy, LOL! And like others have mentioned, in this crazy heat, it makes even less sense - but dont try to tell the birds that. I am letting a few of them hatch broods, although i really dont need any more chickens!

 

[simonejohnston]

Wickenburg has alot of stores that sells baby chicks and supplies

 

[Twinklin]

I'm starting to think MPC sent me a roo polish chick. It already has what looks to be wattles coming in. I'm new to the breed but even I think that's a bit iffy at just over 3 weeks. I still love seeing Bunny and River together. Teeniest chick and monster chick.

 

[FeatherPugs]

I'm starting to think MPC sent me a roo polish chick. It already has what looks to be wattles coming in. I'm new to the breed but even I think that's a bit iffy at just over 3 weeks. I still love seeing Bunny and River together. Teeniest chick and monster chick.

These pics are waaayyyyy cute!!

 

[kpgoldstar]

This year I have had more birds go broody than I can ever remember. For the 1st time, I had hens in every single one of my coops go broody, and often simultaneously. Even among breeds not at all known for their broodiness. I too, was thinking this must be some kind of hen conspiracy, LOL! And like others have mentioned, in this crazy heat, it makes even less sense - but dont try to tell the birds that. I am letting a few of them hatch broods, although i really dont need any more chickens!

For the ones you aren't letting hatch broods what are you doing to break them?

 

[Sill]

My name is Jenny. You may think I'm a chicken, but in reality, I am a Prairie Swan. Don't forget it.
(7 week old Black Jersey Giant)

Only 7 weeks old? That is going to be a BIG chicken!

Ugh! OK now I have a hen going broody!! What is going on here? Why are we all getting broodies in the heat of summer? Mine are hatchery production reds. I didn't think this was supposed to happen. I have 4 girls all about 8 1/2 months old, pretty regular layers with a little slow down due to the heat. A couple nights ago she decided to sleep in the nest box, I didn't think much of it since the boxes are very close to their roost. Then she started acting weird, strange clucking noises, picking at her food. We are not home all day to observe but we let them out of the run every evening. She has been coming out with her sisters to run around the lawn and have snacks, but then moseys back to the coop and starts sitting. She also comes down to have breakfast when I feed in the morning, but just picks then heads back up there.

Last night I took her off the nest, she does let me do that, and made her play out on the lawn. She stayed for a good 20 minutes then back to the nest. Our coop is in full shade all day but it is still hotter in the nest box than the run. None of my birds have yet to show signs of heat stress for which I am thankful. What is the harm in letting nature take its course and let her be broody without any eggs to sit on, or any chicks to give her? Is it crucial to break her? I know she isn't eating very much and when I picked her up she felt lighter but that could be my worrisome nature.

Mine being a sex link I didn't think I'd have this problem either. Took mine out a couple of times today so she would eat and drink in the run and maybe cool off in the damp earth. I took her out of the nest box and put her on a roost after sundown. I'll check later to see if she went back.

It is happening to all of us at this time.. It does seem that way with laying eggs, broodies ect.. They must all call eachother & plan it... We let our girls hatch out eggs & be a Moma. Our flock does not hurt the babies.. Even the 4 from @arizonachicken.. Those 4 are on their own & I think they are only 2 weeks old.. Not one of our broodies took them in under their wings.

I think they did call each other and plan it. That would be my luck, get chicks to put under her and then her not accept them, but like Arizona Son I don't need anymore chickens.

I'm starting to think MPC sent me a roo polish chick. It already has what looks to be wattles coming in. I'm new to the breed but even I think that's a bit iffy at just over 3 weeks. I still love seeing Bunny and River together. Teeniest chick and monster chick.

Yep that looks like a roo! The third pic down looks like the roadrunner that keeps eyeballing my quail.

 

[kpgoldstar]

The hen normally sets until the eggs hatch. If there are no eggs to hatch she could just keep sitting well beyond 3 weeks and get severe health issues because they typically only eat and drink 1-2 times a day while broody. They can typically handle it for 21 days as nature intends but beyond that is risky so if you don't need her to hatch eggs she should be broken.

Well that's not good. I only have the 4 and that's all I plan to have. I am not zoned for chickens. I don't have a rooster, so no fertile eggs. I can't get fertile eggs that I know of, nor do I really want to hatch out chicks that I can't keep. I can't get chicks, nearest location at best would be an hour away, at worst 3 hours. I think it's too hot to keep her in the garage with no air circulation. How many days did it take for you? 4-5? Do you need a cage that is raised so she can't sit? I couldn't put her in a cage in the run where she can scratch at the dirt but can't get to the nest box? And she has to stay in it 24 hours until she's broken?

I closed the door to the coop when I let them out tonight. Later I found her on top of the coop trying to find a way in. I kept her out until almost bedtime, but when I opened the door she was right up the stairs and in the box again. I keep hoping she'll just snap out of it. Probably not, right? I just don't know what my options are.

 

[Sill]

Well that's not good. I only have the 4 and that's all I plan to have. I am not zoned for chickens. I don't have a rooster, so no fertile eggs. I can't get fertile eggs that I know of, nor do I really want to hatch out chicks that I can't keep. I can't get chicks, nearest location at best would be an hour away, at worst 3 hours. I think it's too hot to keep her in the garage with no air circulation. How many days did it take for you? 4-5? Do you need a cage that is raised so she can't sit? I couldn't put her in a cage in the run where she can scratch at the dirt but can't get to the nest box? And she has to stay in it 24 hours until she's broken?

I closed the door to the coop when I let them out tonight. Later I found her on top of the coop trying to find a way in. I kept her out until almost bedtime, but when I opened the door she was right up the stairs and in the box again. I keep hoping she'll just snap out of it. Probably not, right? I just don't know what my options are.

I plan to use an old cage in the run during the day, since it looks like mine is not going to break on her own and like you I don't want more chickens. I might put her in the coop at night, but after dark, so I know she is secure. I'll try three days and see how she does.

 

[carnivore]

Quote: ummm, Sill. Prairie Swan. I really don't want her mad at me! Did you ever see the Alfred Hitchcock movie "The Birds"?

 

[Mr lil chiken]

Good evening everyone.... I'm the other half to lil chiken. She is, of course, the better half... I have 3 barred cochins, and 2 ducks named Fish and Meatball.... Nice to meet all ya'all...