Broken sprit

[mmclaughlin]

recently I used a wire crate to break a broody hen ..it worked great and took only 3-4 days! But sorry to report I think her spriit is also broken! She keeps to herself away from the others ..no fighting or aggression! But she acts sad/ depressed (if a hen can be depressed) she eats well and seems healthy although she has lost some feathers kind of like mild broody molt. Will she regain her spunk? It's been about a month now ?. I should have let her hatch a few chicks

Thanks
Michelle

 

[GitaBooks]

Birds can get depressed, but I doubt that is the problem. When broken-up in a cage, hens may go into a molt, which can lead to them being less active, spending time by themselves, and losing feathers. Make sure she is getting enough to eat and drink, especially protein.

Good luck. Hope she gets better!

 

[mmclaughlin]

Thanks she is doing well eating etc..along with extra treats! She's always been my gentle hen she's a cuckoo maran.. But I do hope she gets back to feeling better..

 

[mmclaughlin]

So update on my broody hen . I put the babies in with the big girls and my broody hen has decided that they are hers and she is going to teach them everything there is to know she calls them to bed she tells them when to eat yet when I put these babies in the coop they were eight weeks old. This home is very happy I should've let her hatch eggs on her own Will she ever lay eggs again. How dangerous is it for her not to lay eggs and how long can this go on before I start to worry

 

[GitaBooks]

It sounds like she's happy.

Once her hormones return to normal she will start laying again (or should). This may take a couple months.