Broodie chickens

[Mr chick]

I have 5 silkies cross bantams that refuse to come out of there nesting box but are not laying just puff up there feathers every time I open the hutch really confused now

 

[Wynette]

Yes, sounds like they're broody.

The best way to break them of broodiness is to put them in a cage with a wire bottom, and either suspend it from the ceiling or put it on blocks so that air flows beneath them. They will stop brooding if there is air flow because they won't be able to keep anything as warm as it needs to be due to the floor not being solid. It only takes 2-3 days (please be sure to give them food/water via cage cups if you use this method) and they'll be done being broody. Good luck! (Oh, and it will be 10-14 days before they begin to lay again once being broken of broodiness.)

 

[Mr chick]

Yes, sounds like they're broody.

The best way to break them of broodiness is to put them in a cage with a wire bottom, and either suspend it from the ceiling or put it on blocks so that air flows beneath them.  They will stop brooding if there is air flow because they won't be able to keep anything as warm as it needs to be due to the floor not being solid.  It only takes 2-3 days (please be sure to give them food/water via cage cups if you use this method) and they'll be done being broody.  Good luck!  (Oh, and it will be 10-14 days before they begin to lay again once being broken of broodiness.)

oh right ok thankyou I will have to do that it seems that the 5 ex batt hens I have a seem to worries them a little I hoped they would become friends sooner rather than later