Howdy All: I have a 2-year old Australorp. Healthy, raised from a chick. She's been a good layer, but recently started going broody, and camps all day on her egg, and/or those of her flock mates. Small flock of 4, counting her (Bluebell).
Because it's hot (Texas), I'm concerned for her health and hydration. So I've moved her, and shut off access to the laying box, for a couple days at a time, but the odd thing is, she never gets out of broody mode. She walks around (after I remove her), stays puffed up, growling, sometimes around the other hens but always around me, and all day, for going on 10 days now.
And after shutting off the box, she'll go right back to the same behavior the moment I re-open it. Also, they all prefer one of the three laying boxes I have for them, so creates a traffic jam, and in fact, I think the other three are now laying elsewhere much if not most of the time.
Is there such a thing as extended broodiness? Is it because I've yet to break her if it, and its just extending? Once I move her, she does eat and drink, but are there other health concerns?
Thanks for any info!
Because it's hot (Texas), I'm concerned for her health and hydration. So I've moved her, and shut off access to the laying box, for a couple days at a time, but the odd thing is, she never gets out of broody mode. She walks around (after I remove her), stays puffed up, growling, sometimes around the other hens but always around me, and all day, for going on 10 days now.
And after shutting off the box, she'll go right back to the same behavior the moment I re-open it. Also, they all prefer one of the three laying boxes I have for them, so creates a traffic jam, and in fact, I think the other three are now laying elsewhere much if not most of the time.
Is there such a thing as extended broodiness? Is it because I've yet to break her if it, and its just extending? Once I move her, she does eat and drink, but are there other health concerns?
Thanks for any info!
as one of my New Hampshire hopped on to lay, thus breaking the log jam where they all wanted to lay in the same box, and 3) will see how this set-up, with the ceramic eggs, works for a couple days, then proceed with the cage if necessary.
