I Can't Handle All These Broodies!!

[gmachicken]

The only broodies I have are bantams. I use them for segregate Mama's. Had a friend tell me that the best way to break them is to put them on the ground with no nest, in a portable pen for a week. Never had to get to that, though I was considering it.

To the note about the chicks and broodie mamas. Hens are so good at raising chicks, I never worry about anything but getting proper food and water to them. Mine are in a separate mini coop. Around here all it takes is a free add in the paper and folks come out of the woodwork to take them off your hands, even roos!

Broodies are indeed an interesting and frustrating group of chickens!!

 

[Rainbow Dash]

I've had a Buff Orphinton go broody before, I feel your pain!

If the hens melted all of the ice cubes, I suggest you keep her in a dog crate with food and water. When she lays an egg, that will mean that she's okay to go back into the chicken coop.

 

[Judy]

I never had any luck with the wire cage method -- or any method, actually. I just let them set on hay. I do, however, take them off the nest and make them do chicken things (follow them, put them outside, etc.) for about 15 minutes every time I'm in the coop. I figure at least they get a little more to eat/drink and a little more exercise this way. Sometimes they've given up after a few days or a couple of weeks of this, sometimes longer. In this weather I've also been dunking their bottom sides in a pan of water and sort of splashing it onto them as much as they let me. It's so nice to see them not panting for a little while.

I also use broodies to raise chicks, which I have them do in with the flock, so I have no integration issues.

I recently read on here about someone with a bunch of broodies who was moving them to a concrete floor pen with no nests and no nesting material. I'll bet that has as good a success rate as the wire cage method.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I feel for everyone. I'm in the same boat.

I have been collecting the eggs on a dailiy basis and not allowing them to set on anything.

After I was confronted with this (pic below), I threw my hands up. I have heard of 2 broody hens sharing a nest of eggs but 4!!!!!!!!!!!! (3 turkey hens and a chicken)

When is broody season over?

 

[Rammy]

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[BooBear]

Quote:
That is both funny and cute.

I don't know what it is, but it is striking hens everywhere.
It is .....The Broodinator! (aka Sourland)

 

[KMHunter]

Quote:
That is both funny and cute.

I don't know what it is, but it is striking hens everywhere.
It is .....The Broodinator! (aka Sourland)

I had 1 go broody on me a little while ago and I let her sit (on nothing) and get over it herself. This time I had 2 (one was the one that just got done) I out them both in seperate wire cages with very little bedding and put them in a dimly lighted area. They got over it in 3-4 days, but it doesn't always work.