Broody Orpington - help!

[krista74]

New to the world of chicken keeping, I'm not sure what to do. My beautiful Orpy has only been laying for one month (she is about 6 months old) and has now gone broody! She is sitting on her one egg of the day, and pecks when I come near. I must admit, I was kind of looking forward to a few more eggs! can I just be brave, don a helmet and gloves, and take the egg from under her? Will it break her heart? And what happens tomorrow, when I assume she will lay another egg? I don't want to make her unhappy, but don't know how to stop the cycle. At the moment she is still in general population with the other 5 hens (one laying of the 5) and the rooster. Hubby says 'just take the egg' but I don't see this being a solution for any more than 24 hours, until the next egg. Plus, she scares me a bit when I go near her - I don't want to do this every day!

 

[lightchick]

To break her broodiness, put her in a dog kennel for 1-2 days without a nest box and make sure the kennel doesn't touch the ground. Broody hens usually stop laying when broody and some will sit on a nest with no eggs in it.

 

[krista74]

Do you mean to put the kennel up on bricks so that air can flow underneath? I take it this is to make her uncomfortable enough not to lay, would that be right? Thanks for your reply

 

[lightchick]

Yes, and put a roosting bar in there too.

 

[krista74]

OK, thankyou. I'll give that a go. I nominate my hubby to pick her up and put her in there though!

 

[Kiasmama]

I had two broody orps. I closed the best box for a few days and that seemed to do the trick. That was easier for me rather than a dog kennel. The other girls just layed around the run. Now everything is open again and all is well

 

[krista74]

The only good thing I can say about it is FINALLY she will let me pat her - if I'm quick about it and don't linger too long! I have been desperately sitting out there in their run on a milk crate, hoping one of them will let me give them a pat for a month! George (the rooster) and the two BO chickens will eat bread from my hand but the 4 RIR's don't want a bar of me. They will all come close if I have food, but not close enough! Thank you for your great advice.

 

[sweetbeak]

My orpington is 38 weeks old and still no eggs, hopefully not too far away.

 

[krista74]

I've heard that Orpingtons can be a little slower to start laying than other breeds. Never having owned chickens myself, I was therefore surprised when my BO was the first to start laying out of our six girls - 2 BO and 4 RIR. The BO has been laying now for a month, and gives us 6 eggs per week. The first RIR started laying two days ago and has given us two perfect eggs as well. I can't wait to see them all laying, mind you the BO may go off the lay for a bit now that she's gone all sooky on me Hopefully your girl will start laying for you soon. Either way, they are so lovely to have around. I never thought chickens would have such interesting personalities, but mine are hilarious! Enjoy your first egg when it comes.

 

[sweetbeak]

Thanks, her comb is getting redder each day, so fingers crossed it will happen soon. I'll let you know when Ms Ophelia lays her first egg