Broody Orpington

[tlshaw2000]

my Orpington is broody from what I can tell. If I leave other eggs around her will she sit on them? How can I separate her from everyone else as she isn't in a nesting box. She has chosen a bare spot where the nesting boxes sit. I have a kennel if I build a separate pen with separate food and water will that be adequatefor her as long as I protect her from weather?

 

[GitaBooks]

Broody chickens are fun, but they can be a lot of work to set-up. Sometimes my chickens refuse to go broody anywhere but in the nest boxes, but the calmer breeders will generally be willing to move into a large crate (like that for a dog). They will generally take to any eggs that are there, even from other species. The crate should include food and water, but these shouldn't be right near the nest, as standing up and stretching is good for a broody hen, who only gets to stand for about 5-15 minutes a day.
If she stays outside of a crate while going broody than the other chickens may chase her off the nest or lay in her nest box. This happened with our chickens and led to broken eggs and chicks that died. Marking the eggs can help, but it doesn't prevent broken eggs.

This is Susie, the broody bantam with her newly hatched chicks!



Good luck. I hope it all turns out well!

 

[tlshaw2000]

This is what I set up for her as the other hens attacked her egg the first time she left and then left a new egg for her lol nice huh. Is this an ok set up for her. There's food and water, fresh air, sunlight and room to stretch. She chose this spot and I don't really want to move her as she spooks easily. One question though I never see her move. I saw her drink and eat move her eggs a bit but that's it. She also sleeps lots is this normal?

 

[GitaBooks]

Broody chickens only get up for around 5-15 minutes a day to stretch their wings (they love doing this), feed, and get a drink. They also use the bathroom. Otherwise, the rest of the time is spent sitting on their eggs. They will just sit there, all day and all night.
Sounds like it would be boring!

Make sure she has a chance to stretch and get away from the eggs for a few minutes each morning. Sometimes they decide not to get off the eggs, and going a couple days without leaving the nest is okay for them.

Hope it all turns out well!


I like your coop!

 

[tlshaw2000]

Thank you. And yes there's lots of room for her to walk around. Fresh water every day and food for her to eat.

 

[GitaBooks]

Then things should go well!

 

[tlshaw2000]

Help. My Orpington had sat on a clutch for 10 days when she left to stretch some hens got in and broke the eggs. She was really upset, but is sitting on a new clutch now for 2 days. When I looked at her today, her comb is pale and droopy is this normal. I got the big nasty stinky broody poo the other day. She has food, water space a fresh nest, and I'm putting a fan in the coop tomorrow as it's been so hot.

Any suggestions if she's ok. Someone just suggested giving her scrambled eggs. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[GitaBooks]

Help. My Orpington had sat on a clutch for 10 days when she left to stretch some hens got in and broke the eggs. She was really upset, but is sitting on a new clutch now for 2 days. When I looked at her today, her comb is pale and droopy is this normal. I got the big nasty stinky broody poo the other day. She has food, water space a fresh nest, and I'm putting a fan in the coop tomorrow as it's been so hot.

Any suggestions if she's ok. Someone just suggested giving her scrambled eggs. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

It sounds like she is being given good care.

The pale comb is normal in broody chickens, as they aren't laying anymore.

Best of luck!