Half-broody?

[Celticdragonfly]

We're wondering about our easter egger hen Cera, if she's starting to get broody, but it doesn't seem to be *all the way* broody.

She's still laying eggs regularly. She floofs up like mad, and wants to spend most of her time in the nest box, whether there's an egg under her or not. She'll still let us reach under her for eggs, might complain a bit but isn't screaming at us or trying to attack us. She'll still let us pick her up and take her out of there, but she'd like to go back to the nest box.

When there's been a chance to give our three girls free-range yard time out of the secured coop-and-run, I've been encouraging my daughter to get her out of there, and close it up so she can't get right back into the nest box, make sure there's water out where they can get to it. I don't know if I need to do anything further in terms of broody breaking.

Our three girls are all just over a year old.

 

[AngieDawn]

She is young
Probably won’t make a good mom yet but is practicing.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Sounds like a possibility that she's on the fence but hasn't committed.

 

[Tamdog]

Mine have a period of time while first broody that they are very easy going about it. Then if allowed to stay in box all of a sudden they get real serious and will peck and fuss if moved.

The only thing I have found that works is to get them in a cage or ( I use an old rabbit pen) that is up off the ground where they can not get the heat under them- with no nesting they can sit on- so they cool down. I put food in there and water. I have also used a dog cage up on cinder blocks. Sometimes if they have gone full broody it takes 3 days of leaving them in the cage/pen. If you only shoe them off and let them go out to roam they will find a place to set up a nest and continue to not eat and brood.

 

[Sequel]

I have a 3 year old Salmon Faverolles that is doing exactly what you described. I’m not sure whether to try to break her or give her some eggs!

 

[aart]

I don't know if I need to do anything further in terms of broody breaking.

I'd just keep removing her from the nest until she's more serious.
Sometimes you can break the wishwashy ones pretty quick like that.
Get your breaker crate ready tho.(I'm assuming you don't want her to hatch?)

 

[Celticdragonfly]

I'd just keep removing her from the nest until she's more serious.
Sometimes you can break the wishwashy ones pretty quick like that.
Get your breaker crate ready tho.(I'm assuming you don't want her to hatch?)

We're not allowed roosters, so yeah, she's out of luck. I think today we'll try putting ice packs under her. If not, I need to go buy a breaker crate.

How do you give them food and water in the breaker crate? This is the type of waterer we use for them in the run.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Q39T78B/

 

[Tamdog]

https://www.amazon.com/1-Gallon-Pla...eywords=chicken+waterer&qid=1589997858&sr=8-5 this is the one I use. I do not like the one I got from Tractor supply this year that has a handle and prongs at the top to sit it on- it is HARD to slide back together.

 

[GardenJen77]

Mine have a period of time while first broody that they are very easy going about it. Then if allowed to stay in box all of a sudden they get real serious and will peck and fuss if moved.

The only thing I have found that works is to get them in a cage or ( I use an old rabbit pen) that is up off the ground where they can not get the heat under them- with no nesting they can sit on- so they cool down. I put food in there and water. I have also used a dog cage up on cinder blocks. Sometimes if they have gone full broody it takes 3 days of leaving them in the cage/pen. If you only shoe them off and let them go out to roam they will find a place to set up a nest and continue to not eat and brood.

I have done this myself and it works great! It helps knock them off their brood cycle.

 

[aart]

How do you give them food and water in the breaker crate?

Definitely one the the PITA's about crating them.
You might be able to mount on of those cups on a bottle,
if it will fit thru bars-sideways maybe?
Mine are all trained to horizontal nipples so it's easy.
Got caged bird cups for feed.