My Wyandotte went broody a few weeks ago. I managed to break her of her broodyness, but she hasn't layed an egg since. It's been over a week now. How long does it usually take for an ex broody hen to start laying again?
Are you sure she's not laying? My EE started layin within a few days, but the little stinker still had hatching on her mind 'cause she hid a nest. I just thought she hadn't started laying again, but when she didn't come back to roost one night I went looking and found her on 15 eggs in the tall grass next to the raspberry patch.
They can be tricky. I'd lock her in the coop/run for a few days and see what happens. I'd also grab her off the roost tonight and give her a good going over--check for mites (can be common when they're broody for awhile) lice, and also feel around/under the vent area for a possibly stuck egg.
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Can you share your "breaking" technique? I've got a bantam Cochin Frizzle who is determined to be a mama but I have no more room for chickens in my coop!!
I'm not sure how much of a technique it is. Her "nest" is in the yard. She doesn't like the nest in the Eglu, even though I have tried putting fake eggs and real eggs in there. I had to put her back in her run every day when I went to work, so I picked her up off the nest and put her in the run. After a few days of that she quit trying to stay in the nest. If she had taken to using the nest in the Eglu I would probably have put her in the pet carrier I put her in so I can put her in the garage when she is being too noisy.
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Can you share your "breaking" technique? I've got a bantam Cochin Frizzle who is determined to be a mama but I have no more room for chickens in my coop!!
I use an old wire bottom rabbit hutch, plenty of room for feed/water and for the hen to move around in. It sits up off the ground so good airflow too. Good luck!
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Can you share your "breaking" technique? I've got a bantam Cochin Frizzle who is determined to be a mama but I have no more room for chickens in my coop!!
I use an old wire bottom rabbit hutch, plenty of room for feed/water and for the hen to move around in. It sits up off the ground so good airflow too. Good luck!
Thanks Monetta & Kittymomma. It sounds like the common denominator is keeping her out of her "chosen spot". Tricky business!