Crookshanks
In the Brooder
- Apr 23, 2021
- 3
- 0
- 29
My broody Australorp has smashed two nests full of eggs and then relocated to other, clean nests with unfertilized eggs.
Obviously, I should break her broodiness.
The trouble is that she is VERY determined. In fact, I thought she was egg bound at first and gave her 2 baths and even blow dried her... and she still went back to the nest.
The first clutch had 8 eggs, so I figured she just didn’t know how to move safely on them
The second clutch had only 4 eggs and she still broke it. But the bedding is pretty shallow, so she MIGHT
do better in dedicated crate. But she didn’t seem interested when I tried putting the second set in th new location. Keep in mind she HAS changed locations when the nests get dirty, just not to the crate I would prefer she go to.
Should I risk another group of eggs? Is it useful/ethical to close her into the preferred crate with some eggs for a while? Or should I start the process of breaking her?
Obviously, I should break her broodiness.
The trouble is that she is VERY determined. In fact, I thought she was egg bound at first and gave her 2 baths and even blow dried her... and she still went back to the nest.
The first clutch had 8 eggs, so I figured she just didn’t know how to move safely on them
The second clutch had only 4 eggs and she still broke it. But the bedding is pretty shallow, so she MIGHT
do better in dedicated crate. But she didn’t seem interested when I tried putting the second set in th new location. Keep in mind she HAS changed locations when the nests get dirty, just not to the crate I would prefer she go to.
Should I risk another group of eggs? Is it useful/ethical to close her into the preferred crate with some eggs for a while? Or should I start the process of breaking her?
Why not foster chicks of your choice to her? With larger hens a shallow, non padded, non bowl shaped nest is a recipe for failure.
