Constantly learning

[Laurelea]

I am a busy teacher, mum and backyard chicken enthusiast. I have had chickens of various breeds on an off for 10 - 12 years, but only tried incubating recently. They are wonderful pets with benefits. However, I am constantly learning about what they can and cannot do. Our recent broody Light Sussex managed to kill a full clutch of fertilized eggs: cracking eggs, standing on some, tossing others out of the nest etc. Very disappointing. However, after 5 weeks, from beginning, she is still clucky and annoying the rest of the hen house as we try to snap her out of it. Do I persist in keeping her uncomfortable so she rejoins the flock, or give her some eggs again? Or live chicks? Last year we tried the live chicks, but I don't think I had let her sit long enough before introducing them. Can someone help me through this one?

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC

I'm not sure that i would do anything other than break her broodiness. It takes a significant toll on a broody hen for the regular 21 days, let alone an extended period beyond that. You could try introducing chicks to her, but maybe have a brooder ready to use, as plan B.

This link should help in breaking broody hens -
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/181289/how-to-break-a-broody-hen

 

[ChickNanny13]

Do you have her in a wire cage that's suspended? Feed & water with no bedding? It takes longer it takes to break a broody if you wait too long to use the wire cage. IF you do decide to give her chicks, keep a very close eye on her.

 

[farmerbrowne]

Welcome to byc. One tip I heard of breaking the broodiness is to dunk her bottom in cool water

 

[N F C]

Sorry your broody turned out to be rough on the last clutch. If you want to break her, I'd use a broody buster (use the search to find posts on the subject).

Best of luck

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so excited that you've joined us

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. I'd break her broodiness as she has a 'failure' record when it comes to chicks. Sounds as if she is just not a good broody - not all are.

 

[familyfarm1]

Welcome to BYC! Pork Pie Ken gave you a great link.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you've joined us! You can try grafting chicks to her if you want her to raise some but you need to m have babies, less than 3 days old (newly hatched is preferable) and you need to slip them under her at night, when it's dark. There is a chance that she may kill them though if the graft doesn't work. You can also break her off her broodiness but putting her in a wire cage that is up off the ground so the air flows under her. Make sure she has a roost. Keep her in there for about a week and she "should" stop brooding.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Not all broodies make good mommas. Especially new hens. If she were mine, I might give it another go, but if this attitude continued, I would keep her from setting on fertile eggs.

Good luck with her and the rest of your flock and welcome to our roost!