Is she going broody??

[artsyrobin]

i have a BR pullet that refuses to leave her chosen nest site, a box in hubby's workshop- here is her pic... she growls and puffs up - is that girl going broody?

 

[ZaneyMama]

Definitely sounds like it to me. If you take her out, does she go rushing right back in?

 

[artsyrobin]

i'll go see.... in november??? sheesh!

 

[artsyrobin]

man...she sure snarls!! yep- she is very attached to that box-

 

[ZaneyMama]

I had a broody hatch chicks in September. They were 8 weeks old yesterday and doing great! Until something ate one in our yard yesterday. Point is, I think if you let her raise chicks, they'll be fine! She'll keep them warm under her at night and bring them in when it gets too cold during the day.

 

[artsyrobin]

Well, i guess she changed her mind - she suddenly hopped up and off she went- weird- maybe she is practicing...

 

[beachchickie]

She is in the early stages of broody. Do you want her to be?

 

[Rachel'sFlock]

I will be following this thread very closely.

AliceAnn, my best layer has become snarling beast woman, as well.
I understand Australorps can tend to be broody, I just thought we might have a bit more time! She just turned 6 months old, and had been laying very reliably (6-7 eggs a week) for 8 weeks.

I have no hatching eggs to put beneath her, so I am saddened we are losing her egg a day to being broody, for nothing.
I am against "breaking her", as in dunking in water or fighting her every stage of the way, but I would prefer she went back to laying eggs!

If left to her own devices, how long (best guestimate) will a hen remain broody?
Thanks, in advance, as always.

Brightest Blessings

 

[Kittymomma]

Rachel'sFlock :

I will be following this thread very closely.

AliceAnn, my best layer has become snarling beast woman, as well.
I understand Australorps can tend to be broody, I just thought we might have a bit more time! She just turned 6 months old, and had been laying very reliably (6-7 eggs a week) for 8 weeks.

I have no hatching eggs to put beneath her, so I am saddened we are losing her egg a day to being broody, for nothing.
I am against "breaking her", as in dunking in water or fighting her every stage of the way, but I would prefer she went back to laying eggs!

If left to her own devices, how long (best guestimate) will a hen remain broody?
Thanks, in advance, as always.

Brightest Blessings

I break mine, but not by dunking them or fighting with them. I put them in a wire bottom rabbit hutch with food/water but nothing that can be used for a nest. It usually only takes a few days, doesn't hurt the hen at all, isn't a big hassle AND she doesn't get run down from sitting on nothing and starts laying again.​

 

[Rachel'sFlock]

can the cage be in their same coop with the others, or will she have to be seperated entirely?
Thanks again!