Broody Pekin

[divediva]

I am a new (1 year) chicken keeper. I bought 2 red star pullets at age 10 days December 2018. 6 weeks later I rescued a feral chick, which of course turned out to be a roo.
My girls are awesome for eggs, but not cuddly, and I wanted some lap chickens. Back in January I went to a poultry show and my friend literally got a little lemon Pekin out and handed it to me. After 15 minutes of carrying her around I bought her. A few days later I managed to get hold of a 5 month old silkie pullet. I didn't realise but the Pekin came to me with a respiratory infection which she passed to the silkie. I put them on Baytril, but around that time the Pekin went broody. I had no previous experience with this and because she was quite stuffy and I could smell infection I thought she was dying. She was so flat and felt cold, so I had her on a hot water bottle and kept her in overnight. All she wanted to do was be in the nest, and then I realised what it was. I counted the days since she last laid an egg, and hoped that at 21 she would come out of it. It is now day 38. I have tried bathing her and coolish chest dips. She is currently beside me sitting on a freezer pack, and seems more than happy. Her purchase was impulsive and yes I should have researched, but she just seemed perfect. I now know they have a reputation for, broodiness. I don't have eggs for her to hatch and I just want my little girl back. I feel bad for my poor silkie chick too, living with an angry pancake.
Any advice would be most welcome. I haven't resorted to chicken jail yet, as I'm not sure really what to do. Should they be in there 24/7 or just day time or night time?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Chicken jail should be 24/7 until they're broken - the exception is if you feel you can't keep the cage/enclosure in a predator safe spot (in which case I'd put them on the roost at night, and immediately back in the cage the next morning).

In your case, the fact that she's happily sitting on a freezer pack and going on 38 days now... I don't know how well chicken jail will work. It works well when used at onset of broodiness, but at this point, your girl might just be dead set on hatching. There's some broodies that are absolutely determined to sit no matter what.

 

[aart]

I put them on Baytril, but around that time the Pekin went broody. I had no previous experience with this and because she was quite stuffy and I could smell infection I thought she was dying. She was so flat and felt cold, so I had her on a hot water bottle and kept her in overnight. All she wanted to do was be in the nest, and then I realised what it was. I counted the days since she last laid an egg, and hoped that at 21 she would come out of it.

Is the infection gone?

 

[divediva]

Is the infection gone?

Hi there yes they are both fine and healthy. Just the broody problem. She's moving around more in the run but in the morning she's a hussy pancake again. Do you think she's coming out of it or so I still put her in jail? Thanks

 

[divediva]

Chicken jail should be 24/7 until they're broken - the exception is if you feel you can't keep the cage/enclosure in a predator safe spot (in which case I'd put them on the roost at night, and immediately back in the cage the next morning).

In your case, the fact that she's happily sitting on a freezer pack and going on 38 days now... I don't know how well chicken jail will work. It works well when used at onset of broodiness, but at this point, your girl might just be dead set on hatching. There's some broodies that are absolutely determined to sit no matter what.

Thanks so much. She seems to be more active in the pen the last few days. They have an egloo, but they only sleep in it. During the day they have a fenced off lawn area so she has no access to the nest box. When they go to bed she has to roost because I put a tin of paint in the nest box, but her breast is still hot and she has plucked her feathers. Do you think she's coming to the end of it or should I just grow a pair and put her in jail?
Thanks

 

[Painted Calls]

If she's been broody for 38 days and is happily sitting on an ice pack, I would put her in jail. It's not a happy situation for anyone, but it is what's best for her. I currently have one in jail and one on eggs. I usually always have at least one in jail it seems. Pekins/bantam Cochins are just wired to be that way.

If you catch them early, they don't usually need to be in jail long. However, since your girl has been sitting for so long now, don't be surprised if it takes 2 weeks.

I put them in with food and water and a 2x4 to roost on if they wish. The roost isn't necessary however. Some people leave them in 24/7. I personally take mine out for at least an hour or so each day to free range with the others. When the others go in, the broody goes back in jail.

I've tried putting them on the roost at night and back into jail in the morning, but for my particular chickens - that doesn't work. They hop down and go to the nest immediately after being placed on the roost. However, if you don't have a predator safe place for the jail to be at night - you have to do what you have to do to keep her safe.

 

[divediva]

If she's been broody for 38 days and is happily sitting on an ice pack, I would put her in jail. It's not a happy situation for anyone, but it is what's best for her. I currently have one in jail and one on eggs. I usually always have at least one in jail it seems. Pekins/bantam Cochins are just wired to be that way.

If you catch them early, they don't usually need to be in jail long. However, since your girl has been sitting for so long now, don't be surprised if it takes 2 weeks.

I put them in with food and water and a 2x4 to roost on if they wish. The roost isn't necessary however. Some people leave them in 24/7. I personally take mine out for at least an hour or so each day to free range with the others. When the others go in, the broody goes back in jail.

I've tried putting them on the roost at night and back into jail in the morning, but for my particular chickens - that doesn't work. They hop down and go to the nest immediately after being placed on the roost. However, if you don't have a predator safe place for the jail to be at night - you have to do what you have to do to keep her safe.

Ok so my girl is in jail since 8am. I'm going to let her free range with Mitzi soon. I wondered if she is allowed TV time with me later. I usually have them on the sofa for smnackes between 8.30pm and 10pm. also we are very lucky here, no foxes, cayotes etc, but we do have rats. Saffi is tiny, about 1lb. They have never been overnight on the lawn. Is she at risk from a rat?
thanks again for all your amazing advice and getting back to me. xx