broody hen, sitting on NOTHING!

[Malpower]

Quote:
I had my young Buff Brahma go broody last year, tried everything from lifting her sitting in the nesting box out of the coop and locking the coop door so she couldn't go back in, to cold packs in the nesting box, etc. Don't have a rooster, didn't want to buy fertile eggs and put them under her -- I kept resisting putting her in a cage or crate as I'd been advised by BYCers -- this went on for about 20 days and I finally gave up, went out and bought and put her in a large bird cage, it took about 2 nights and 3 days and that snapped her out of it. Next time I'll put her directly into the cage and save myself a lot of trouble! I'm assuming there will be a next time, but I sure hope not! Good luck!

 

[teach1rusl]

Mrs. Green Thumbs :

IDK how good of an idea it is to rent out a broody hen... your opening up your hen to what ever nasty illnesses the renter's flock might have. Although if your bringing egg's from other people I would assume it's ok. Just don't send her away to be "rented" out.

I'm thinking drumstick diva was just joking; I know my reply was meant in fun.

 

[Texasboy4ever]

I have a Black Australorp/Buff Rock Cross went broody has been that way for almost a month. I would take the eggs out from under her and she kept setting. finally yesterday I put 8 eggs under her and put her by herself so no other hens would bother her. Looking for them to hatch 5/17

 

[CarrieAnnChicks]

another question along the same lines.....once broody do the hens stop laying eggs?

she slept alone last night...not sure if that made a difference

 

[Mrs. Green Thumbs]

Umm I think so yes.

 

[herefordlovinglady]

they will not lay while they are broody.

did you try the ice pack? I was wondering how well it worked.

I have two hens broody right now. You can either let them brood or you can use the broody cage. I will see if i can find the link for the information on how to use it.

Some say it is not good to let them brood because it is so hard on them. some say to let nature takes it course. i guess like with anything else it is your choice. get all the information you can to make the right decision.

they will stay broody up to a month. if i have not used the cage, i will usually start taking them off the nest in about 18 to 20 days. they usually get tired and stay off.

 

[CarrieAnnChicks]

well, the ice pack didnt work...as soon as it warmed up she was right back on the nest...I put her back in her isolation cage...at least she is eating and sitting on her roost rather than sitting on the ground

 

[CarrieAnnChicks]

well, isolation location seemed to work...she is behaving like a normal "girl" again, now just waiting on her daily egg...

 

[joebryant]

Mrs. Green Thumbs :

I think it was over night... but if that doesn't do the trick try switching them out in the AM and keep her cooling on those ice packs till she get's the idea. The coolness should make her snap right out of it. Worth a try. Let us know how it works! I'm subing to this topic. Id like to keep this in mind when my chicks decide to go broody.

UPDATE:
Mrs. Green Thumbs, I'm the guy who wrote that post about the ice pack's working. At the end of that thread, I had to tell that the hen had gone right back to being broody (along with the other black Orpington hen that I did give 10 eggs). So I now have two first-time black broodies that are about ten months old, one sitting on air, and the other is on ten RUINED eggs that she left for a long period one cold morning, i.e., ain't nuttin gonna hatch. Their imaginary air chicks are due on May 7th. I gave up trying to break their broodiness. So much for cold rear ends.​

 

[Mrs. Green Thumbs]

Seems like isolation is the way to go. Well now we all know lol.