new member to BYC with a broody?

Date sort Score sort
Buckbuckchoy

Buckbuckchoy

Hatching
5 Years
Jan 11, 2015
3
0
7
Gold coast
After months of reading through BYC I have finally nm ally decided to make an account!

My first question is about my two 18.5 week Isa brown Hens.

One of my hens started laying at 17.5 weeks and the other has yet to lay. But in the nesting box which my eggs are never laid at.

I put a fake ceramic egg to make them want to lay there.

I have found that the hen that hasn't laid yet constantly sits in the nesting box and only comes out to poop,eat and drink.

Is possible for a chicken to go broody before laying her first egg? Even though she's an Isa brown?

Cheers guys
From Australia
 
Hello
frow.gif
and Welcome to BYC from Australia! In my experience chooks always lay before they go broody, but have heard of this happening before. If your hen has gone broody, there are ways you can get her back to normal again. Start by repeatedly removing her from the nest. Removing her and carrying her around for about 10 mins once or twice a day is good. Be gentle, but firm if she fusses. You can gradually increase the time out after a while. Another way is to put ice cubes or an ice pack in the nest. I have tried the former, and that's usually all it takes (and a little persistence). Good luck, and maybe some other folks will have better advice.
 
Last edited:
Hello there and welcome to BYC!
frow.gif


First, make sure she is not egg bound. Young layers are prone to this sort of thing and going in and out of the nest box repeatedly is a sign of egg binding.

Put on a latex glove and smear on some ky-jelly or vaseline on the index finger. Gently stick your finger into her vent, straight back. If she has an egg in there, you will feel it within the first 2 inches. If she has one in there, you will need to soak her lower half in some warm water for 10 to 15 mins, give her some calcium in the form of crushed up tums or even some yogurt. These will help her with contractions to move the egg. Lube up her vent as well. Read my article in my signature on treating hens with egg binding and that will tell you what to do with her if she is egg bound.

If she is not egg bound, then it is possible she is broody. Generally as CrazyChookz as said, they usually have started in on laying before going broody. She might be being bullied and is hiding in there. So watch your flock to make sure she is not hiding in fear.

Good luck and welcome to our flock!
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom