Broody, or is something wrong?

[007Sean]

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[Debbie292d]

I took her out of the nest and put her in a run. She was furious. She's the most reticent of the four adults and for her to attack the other hens and then stomp off back to "her" nest and sit there was, if I wasn't concerned, very amusing. I put out strawberries, blueberries and mealworms as a peace offering and she wanted nothing to do with it. Would it be helpful to introduce the young birds at this time?

Well now there's no question that she's broody. I'd break her using a crate that's placed on bricks or boards so it's open air on the bottom. Put a narrow board in there so she doesn't have to perch on the wires. Affix the feeder and waterer to the side somehow so she doesn't tip them over having a tantrum. Four days is typically how long it takes.

As for the adding the chicks to the coop, I missed how old they were. Assuming they're around 6 weeks, I'd put dual waterers and feeders out, and if possible, keep one set of those so the adult birds can't get at it where it can be a refuge for the little ones. Also putting clutter in your run area like leaning pallets against the fence/wall, overturned old chairs, wooden boxes on their sides, etc. anything so they can get away if they're being chased or attacked.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Good luck with your broody lady.

 

[MysticSummer]

Well now there's no question that she's broody. I'd break her using a crate that's placed on bricks or boards so it's open air on the bottom. Put a narrow board in there so she doesn't have to perch on the wires. Affix the feeder and waterer to the side somehow so she doesn't tip them over having a tantrum. Four days is typically how long it takes.

As for the adding the chicks to the coop, I missed how old they were. Assuming they're around 6 weeks, I'd put dual waterers and feeders out, and if possible, keep one set of those so the adult birds can't get at it where it can be a refuge for the little ones. Also putting clutter in your run area like leaning pallets against the fence/wall, overturned old chairs, wooden boxes on their sides, etc. anything so they can get away if they're being chased or attacked.

I still have to take Feather out of the nest at least once a day but I think it's more a matter of feeling more secure there. She doesn't complain anymore and does spend most of the time with the other adults. The other adults still squawk at her when she gets in the way of eating the choice nibblets but it's more symbolic than any form of aggression. She just waits till they move on before she eats.

I'm not sure how old the little ones are. I got them either the last week of April or the first week of May. They appear fully feathered and behave like any living adolescent being. Matter of fact one escaped their protected run last night and we found her near the coop we're starting renovations on. I picked her up and returned her to her run. The adults didn't bother with her but they were all tucked in their nest for the night. I'm tempted to open one of the gates and let them explore for a bit. The ladies may no longer be curious about them. Thoughts?

 

[Debbie292d]

I still have to take Feather out of the nest at least once a day but I think it's more a matter of feeling more secure there. She doesn't complain anymore and does spend most of the time with the other adults. The other adults still squawk at her when she gets in the way of eating the choice nibblets but it's more symbolic than any form of aggression. She just waits till they move on before she eats.

I'm not sure how old the little ones are. I got them either the last week of April or the first week of May. They appear fully feathered and behave like any living adolescent being. Matter of fact one escaped their protected run last night and we found her near the coop we're starting renovations on. I picked her up and returned her to her run. The adults didn't bother with her but they were all tucked in their nest for the night. I'm tempted to open one of the gates and let them explore for a bit. The ladies may no longer be curious about them. Thoughts?

Just make sure it's roomy enough for the little ones to get away. Having a bit of clutter around helps, like boards or a pallet leaning against the wall/fence, wooden boxes on their side, old wooden chairs, that sort of idea. Plus, dual feeders/waterers. I have 7 that are about the same age, with two hens and a rooster in a breeding pen. One hen went broody so I let her sit on 5 eggs to keep her there as she's the "heater" in the hutch as it still gets cold here at night. The rooster doesn't touch them, but the hen pecks if they are where she wants to be. They just run away.

There's two dishes of mash in there which the little ones were hogging, a nipple water bottle on the left, and the nipple bucket on the right.