Broody on Probation: How long do I give her in the nest box to "lay an egg"? + Bonus Psychology Question!

[thecatumbrella]

Dandelion will clear her 3-day sentence tomorrow. She's much improved, but will inevitably want to lay in the nest box tomorrow (she never stopped laying as a broody). How long do I give her to "lay her egg" before sending her back to jail? Is a broody screech all it takes?

Also, a bonus question. Broody jail is directly next to the run where the chickens spend 100% of their time. They even spend quite a lot of time hanging out next to Dandelion's cell. Everyone is in full view of each other. I let her into the run 2x/day to stretch her legs and join the flock, but she does not sleep with them at night. Everything had been going fine until today. My #2 ranked bird, Hornet, started full-on bullying her during her late morning recess (Dandelion is ranked #3). Marathon levels of chasing, grabbing onto her back feathers and trying to mount her, ripping violently at her comb (NOT pecking). Hornet is about to start laying eggs, which I'm sure is relevant. But what the heck? I feel like every time I put a chicken on the other side of this mesh wall (and it's LARGE mesh), the pecking order is in shambles when they return to the other side, even just hours later. Hornet and Dandelion had zero issues between them before the broody breaker, though I knew where they stood through subtle body language.

I'm not really looking for tips on how to improve my run, only because I've made many, many posts about it this year and received excellent advice. I'm more interested if someone can explain the thought process behind their behavior, or if it's common to have these sorts of re-integration blips when the separated bird has hardly been separated at all.

Thank you for your thoughts.

 

[Mrs. K]

Separating birds often causes problems, it is like trading one problem for another.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Separating birds often causes problems, it is like trading one problem for another.

I'm starting to realize that. How the heck do people deal with their broodies then? I mean, she's right there! The only way they could be closer is if I stuck Hornet in the crate with her. It's confounding.

 

[ChickenChick46]

You know how new I am and that I'm no help. But I'm sending happy thoughts to you and Dandelion! I'm sorry this is so trying.

I'm honestly so concerned now for when mine go broody. I don't want to hatch eggs from birds that are too young, so even having a cockerel, I feel like I may have to deal with broodiness before I'm ready to let them hatch chicks.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Tagging @oldhenlikesdogs and @Debbie292d.

I know you guys have a lot of cochin bantams and silkies, respectively. Have you ever had a problem getting a former broody back in the flock? I had the broody breaker immediately next to them and even let the inmate out a couple times a day to socialize. Now that she's ready to rejoin, the bird that ranks above her has gotten pretty violent. I expected some pecking order reminders, but this is a lot. Going to clutter up the run and supervise today. Didn't know if you guys had any experience with this, or if it's just something that can happen?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Tagging @oldhenlikesdogs and @Debbie292d.

I know you guys have a lot of cochin bantams and silkies, respectively. Have you ever had a problem getting a former broody back in the flock? I had the broody breaker immediately next to them and even let the inmate out a couple times a day to socialize. Now that she's ready to rejoin, the bird that ranks above her has gotten pretty violent. I expected some pecking order reminders, but this is a lot. Going to clutter up the run and supervise today. Didn't know if you guys had any experience with this, or if it's just something that can happen?

I move them to a completely different shed to break mine. When they come back to their coop the roosters will often chase them down and round them back up. I haven't seen any females being aggressive. I have seen them aggressive when hens have chicks. I'd probably pull the hen that is being aggressive and give her a few days in the broody jail. She may be going broody herself.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I move them to a completely different shed to break mine. When they come back to their coop the roosters will often chase them down and round them back up. I haven't seen any females being aggressive. I have seen them aggressive when hens have chicks. I'd probably pull the hen that is being aggressive and give her a few days in the broody jail. She may be going broody herself.

The aggressor's in jail right now so the ex-broody can have some time to relax. Aggressor hasn't actually laid her first egg yet (though it's coming any day), but then again, she's a Pekin Bantam. Anything's possible.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The aggressor's in jail right now so the ex-broody can have some time to relax. Aggressor hasn't actually laid her first egg yet (though it's coming any day), but then again, she's a Pekin Bantam. Anything's possible.

They can often get more aggressive as they approach the point of lay, so she may be experiencing some surging hormones. Hopefully a few days to reset everything will help. Do you have any roosters? They tend to break of squabbles. Mine do at least. It's one reason why I like the bantam Cochin roosters.

 

[thecatumbrella]

They can often get more aggressive as they approach the point of lay, so she may be experiencing some surging hormones. Hopefully a few days to reset everything will help. Do you have any roosters? They tend to break of squabbles. Mine do at least. It's one reason why I like the bantam Cochin roosters.

No roosters. Just the 4 pullets. I'll definitely consider adding one in the future, because this is getting to be too much. Trying to get everyone laying before making a permanent decision on this flock, but their sassy little attitudes are making it difficult. I'll give Hornet (the bully) some jail time, even if she has to lay her first egg in there.

Also wanted to ask, do you find that broken broodies take a little time to recover physically? There's clearly something off with mine. Her appetites still not back, so she's not pooping, and just seems very tired. I'm guessing it takes a lot out of them. We've been at this for 2 weeks, trying to break her.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

No roosters. Just the 4 pullets. I'll definitely consider adding one in the future, because this is getting to be too much. Trying to get everyone laying before making a permanent decision on this flock, but their sassy little attitudes are making it difficult. I'll give Hornet (the bully) some jail time, even if she has to lay her first egg in there.

Also wanted to ask, do you find that broken broodies take a little time to recover physically? There's clearly something off with mine. Her appetites still not back, so she's not pooping, and just seems very tired. I'm guessing it takes a lot out of them. We've been at this for 2 weeks, trying to break her.

They can loose weight when broody too long, but I haven't seen what you are seeing at 2 weeks. It may explain why the other hen is attacking her because she's acting unwell. Sick acting birds are usually driven out of a flock or killed. That's their instincts.