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Breaking up a broody

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by underground chickenman, Sep 1, 2009.

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  1. Sep 1, 2009 #1
    underground chickenman

    underground chickenman Chillin' With My Peeps

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    May 30, 2009
    Orlando, Florida
    I have a 29 week old black australorp that's gone broody on me. Stubborn broody. I put an ice pack in the nest and this girl has been sitting on it for the last 3.5 hours. I finally went in and physically put her on the roost. I did that last night and I am pretty sure she stayed there all night, but she's been on the nest again most of the day today and well in to the night (it's 10:00 and I just moved her). She's getting thin, but I think she must be eating because I know she is leaving the nest once per day. I have seen her golf ball sized poops on the floor every day for the last several days. Any suggestions? Do I need to go the cage route? If so, how long will it take to break her? I have a barred rock that will sit on everybody else's eggs after they are laid in the morning, but she leaves after I get them out from under her. The BA is stubborn. She's not been sitting on anything but pine shavings. Well, and an ice pack.

    Thanks,

    UGCM
     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2009
  3. Sep 1, 2009 #2
    CMV

    CMV Flock Mistress

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    Apr 15, 2009
    I tried the ice cube route, but it didn't work. I broke mine with the wire cage method. Mine kept reverting back to being broody, though. She has finally stopped being broody after months of repeated trips to the wire cage. It usually takes 3-5 days in the cage to break the cycle. Good luck. Those broody hens can be tough. [​IMG]
     

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