Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[Teila]

I hear ya potato chip and I do feel sorry for them also, I understand what they want.

However, it is better for them to go through this few days of hormones etc than to continually bring into the world unwanted chicks. Also, I do not think that continually hatching chicks with only a few weeks off in between while they store up the next hatch is good for them.

At the end of a hatch and raising her chicks a broody can have lost a lot of weight and condition. If I was to let Cilla have a hatch every time she wanted to it would not be healthy for her. With her track record, she would have three weeks between cutting the cord and bunkering down on the next lot of eggs; definitely not enough time to build up condition.

 

[User395221]

With her track record, she would have three weeks between cutting the cord and bunkering down on the next lot of eggs; definitely not enough time to build up condition.

So, even by chicken standards, they aren't behaving "right", it's not just the "thwarting" of their instincts going on? When I was thinking about the potential for "hormone replacement therapy", I was thinking "they must have something for this, what do the chicken farmers do?" and then realised that, unlike cats and dogs, chickens are (viewed as) "dispensible". Show signs of "trouble" in a commercial outfit and you stop being a laying hen and be a table bird.

We need Cher from that movie "Snap outta it!"

Are your girls related? Is it strange to have several broody hens?

 

[appps]

I feel a bit sorry for them.  Their "children" taken away but they don't want to give up their goal to be mothers. It's a shame they can't have a bunch of babies and run about with them. 

I don't really feel that. They get over the whole thing in three days if you say no so it's more instinct to do it I think than an emotional desire to be a mother.

I think Taelia has so much trouble because of their personalities as much as anything. It's more a desire not to be outdone by anybody else than a desire to be a mother I suspect

 

[Teila]

While on the subject of broody’s .. they have actually calmed down a little today and are locked out on supervised free range with the rest of the flock. While they are going back for the occasional peep into the locked coop, they are not quite so frantic about it and easily distracted.

Hopefully not long now ……

Potato chip most commercial layers do not go broody as it has been bred out of them and they are bred specifically for egg laying. Not all breeds go broody; I just happen to have the breeds that do

and yep, I have some princesses and their chickenality has a lot to do with it. KiKi is not even 12 months old yet and this is the second time she has been broody while her hatch sister, Crystal, has never been broody.

Multiple broodys is common; at least here where I think it is contagious

 

[sjturner79]

Teila .....   another of my strange suggestions. 

When my girls are laying they squat ( as most chooks do )  - for me, our dog Ruby, or anything else that moves - when the mood strikes ( as it were ).  

Would squat for a large floating twig of leaves - at that.  

Yes, I did suggest a hormone or herb extract that you might find to assist the situation.   That was a few weeks back now and agree again now,  with potato chip.   

sjturner79 has mentioned being jumped on by roosters every time they get off the nest, so I take it that broodies are not averse to male attention ??.  

My thought is, and I do this for my girls when they squat -  is give your broodies each a good scratch on their backs, neck, and near their tails.  Basically a good strong scratch from head to rear.    They react well, fluff themselves up - and that is an end to it .... they want no more attention.  

We all know you wouldn't of course, part with your gorgeous chickens ( who continue with the chook version of "World Championship Wrestling"  )  ..... but if they are looking for some companionship, and are happy with a scratch that simulates - - - why not try that with Cilla, Kiki and others.  

Might save a lot of effort on your part in separating them all the time, and give them a sense of having been covered ( wow - eggs 'n babies soon !!! ) .... yippee ... e

Yeah - I know it sounds weird and a little off --- but I think it is worth a try.   And the turmeric as mentioned by Fancy, sounds like a plan too .....  must remember that myself - perhaps to stimulate further egg laying by my Mandy Welsummer who seems to have decided she is past menopause. !!!  She has laid just 2 eggs in about 5 weeks.   And whatever moult she was in, seems to have ended, but no further eggs.   She just struts about, growling a lot !!    Her comb goes from pink to red almost every other hour !!!    ... But she is happy - and dominant enough to peck at Molly over special "Mum's" food, ( which I stand guard over while they eat most of it, just to stop any punch-ups ).    Doesn't take long - they are real gormandisers. 

Again - good luck with it all Teila.  

Cheers ............  

The hens don't like it when they are broody, but with more than 1 rooster they are always going ALL the hens.

 

[User395221]

at least here where I think it is contagious

I blame those crows. It's their fault.

 

[Teila]

I blame those crows. It's their fault.

lol .. yep, blame EVERYTHING on the Crows

The good news .. KiKi has just jumped up to the roost and has ignored the nest boxes [they are blocked though]. Blondie is still mooching around in the garden but I think she will roost also

 

[User395221]

it's more instinct to do it I think than an emotional desire to be a mother.

I think Taelia has so much trouble because of their personalities as much as anything. It's more a desire not to be outdone by anybody else than a desire to be a mother I suspect

Sure, I know, I just never miss an opportunity to anthropomorphise or indulge an animal.

It's interesting (to me) the personalities you come across in some individuals. I keep forgetting which is the older of my new young girls, because it's the younger who is the "bossy one". I keep thinking she's older, but she's not. I wonder whether she'll end up trying to boss all the other girls around, when she meets them and moves into the big house. After reading about Teila's girls, I also wonder whether they are the type that goes all broody.... (hope not)

 

[Fancychooklady]

Sure, I know, I just never miss an opportunity to anthropomorphise or indulge an animal. It's interesting (to me) the personalities you come across in some individuals. I keep forgetting which is the older of my new young girls, because it's the younger who is the "bossy one". I keep thinking she's older, but she's not. I wonder whether she'll end up trying to boss all the other girls around, when she meets them and moves into the big house. After reading about Teila's girls, I also wonder whether they are the type that goes all broody.... (hope not)

Absolutely ! Certain breeds are more prone to go broody, silkies and Cochins are at the top of that list. Isa Browns are hybrids , specifically bred to not go broody.

 

[User395221]

Absolutely ! Certain breeds are more prone to go broody, silkies and Cochins are at the top of that list. Isa Browns are hybrids , specifically bred to not go broody.

Yes, I don't see them going broody, they are way too keen on chasing me about for food to worry about sittin' on eggs.

My new girls are araucana hybrids, one araucana/australorp and one crossed with light sussex. I don't know what traits they'll display when they've grown up. Hopefully not this "broody nonsense"