Gypsy went broody- Junglefowl in mom mode in a empty nest

[CabritaChicks]

Gypsy Chick — my little junglefowl mix — is a dependable layer of small (mini), cream-colored eggs 6 a week. She hatched from a gifted egg, born the day after Easter (which feels fitting, really — a sort of accidental holiday souvenir).

She grew up with four other chicks (white horn, marans, leghorn mixes), form the same hatch date, but she always stood apart. You can absolutely see how much personality plays into things — individuality, of course, but also clear breed-specific traits. Junglefowl blood runs deep, and it shows.

Now, true to her wild heritage, Gypsy has gone full-on broody — to the point where she’ll lunge and bite my husband when he dares to collect eggs from the coop. Daily egg collection has turned into a mild combat sport (which he is not a fan of) as he says 'I dont like her face- why cant she have a cute face?'.

She’s not what I’d call affectionate — you can’t pet her, hold her, or even get close without an argument. But she’s gorgeous, there’s no denying that. A shimmering little outlaw, always doing her own thing and refusing to follow the flock’s routine. Beautiful? Absolutely. Cooperative? Not even close.

So my question is, people with junglefowl: any tips or tricks for preventing them to go broody and a bit aggressive in the nest box?

Thanks!

 

[sourland]

The urge to procreate will remain her life purpose. It's in her DNA.

 

[Altairsky]

Let her hatch something. It's in their nature. Some chickens can't be happy if they're not allowed to breed. I have 2 who would spend half their life in a broody jail if I never allowed them to breed. They hatch 4 batches a year each!

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Gypsy Chick — my little junglefowl mix — is a dependable layer of small (mini), cream-colored eggs 6 a week. She hatched from a gifted egg, born the day after Easter (which feels fitting, really — a sort of accidental holiday souvenir).

She grew up with four other chicks (white horn, marans, leghorn mixes), form the same hatch date, but she always stood apart. You can absolutely see how much personality plays into things — individuality, of course, but also clear breed-specific traits. Junglefowl blood runs deep, and it shows.

View attachment 4235017

Now, true to her wild heritage, Gypsy has gone full-on broody — to the point where she’ll lunge and bite my husband when he dares to collect eggs from the coop. Daily egg collection has turned into a mild combat sport (which he is not a fan of) as he says 'I dont like her face- why cant she have a cute face?'.

She’s not what I’d call affectionate — you can’t pet her, hold her, or even get close without an argument. But she’s gorgeous, there’s no denying that. A shimmering little outlaw, always doing her own thing and refusing to follow the flock’s routine. Beautiful? Absolutely. Cooperative? Not even close.

So my question is, people with junglefowl: any tips or tricks for preventing them to go broody and a bit aggressive in the nest box?

Thanks!

Do you have a roo to fertilize eggs? (I know your flock has been through a lot.)

I can’t imagine what it would be like to try to order fertilized eggs when you are, or if anyone would even ship.

 

[CabritaChicks]

Let her hatch something. It's in their nature. Some chickens can't be happy if they're not allowed to breed. I have 2 who would spend half their life in a broody jail if I never allowed them to breed. They hatch 4 batches a year each!

Can’t—and won’t—let her hatch anything.
First off, we don’t even have a rooster.
Second, the last thing I need right now is another chicken.
I have my 2 standbys, and 4 more in the brooder in the living room (one is a roo- but only 2 weeks old).

I did order, 3,800 miles trip, and I hatched them. But no rooster remains as Suki put his body in front of a dog to protect the flock and the dog won. So I was looking for a couple tips as we are doing good, but drives hubby mad when he needs to 'touch her' (skooting) and she nips in the nest box.

Edit: I like my flock small, and special. So I don't want more than 8 chickens. Couple years from now- when my chickens breed- okay, but I dont want Gypsy as the mother (to be frank).

 

[CabritaChicks]

Do you have a roo to fertilize eggs? (I know your flock has been through a lot.)

I can’t imagine what it would be like to try to order fertilized eggs when you are, or if anyone would even ship.

As mentioned—no rooster here. And she’s made it clear she doesn’t want to be touched, whether she’s in or out of the coop… annoying, but that’s her personality. She’s definitely special—lol. She’s just determined to pursue something that doesn’t quite line up with our plans.

Here they are playing on/under and being goofy with one of our jeeps:

For now, she’s actually a great companion for Roo (who, despite the name, is a she—name courtesy of our friends’ kids). We had considered rehoming Gypsy, and still might, but the fact that she lays consistently—small/mini eggs, but always on schedule—has us rethinking that decision.

 

[Ridgerunner]

So my question is, people with junglefowl: any tips or tricks for preventing them to go broody and a bit aggressive in the nest box?

I do not have jungefowl but I did grow up with games. Her nature is what it is. She does that on instinct, I have no idea how to change either. In my opinion you need to either get rid of her or put up with her.

You can put her in a broody buster and break her from being broody for a while. Maybe wear long gloves when gathering eggs but that would be a pain. But I do not believe you are going to change her nature.