Peeps in Europe!

[Phaedra Geiermann]

@Phaedra Geiermann I didn't understand - do you want to break them from being broody or you want to hatch?
Here is my 'mothernity' ward - I have 3 broody hens and one turkey.. all at the same time. It is going to be fun when they all hatch the same day. 70 eggs in total.

I want to break their broodiness, because we already have 6 new chicks hatched last month.

Wow, hatching 70 eggs is an amazing task!

 

[Phaedra Geiermann]

@abpatchy handsome boys!!!

@Phaedra Geiermann I have one broody hen, she is separated in a wire dog crate. It's easier to make sure she's eating and drinking despite her broodiness that way (has her own food and water available) she started out with 2 eggs, now she has 5 or 6. This Sunday and next Tuesday I'll candle them to check their development, if any.

If you don't want them to hatch chicks, I would probably crate them all the same and take their eggs away daily.

Thanks, do you mean I can put two broody hens in a same cage? In fact I don't expect they get broody at the same time, the crate I ordered might be too small for two hens

 

[LoreWalker]

Thanks, do you mean I can put two broody hens in a same cage? In fact I don't expect they get broody at the same time, the crate I ordered might be too small for two hens

I could put 2 wyandotte bantams in the cage we have, yes. I've done so when I introduced 2 adult hens to my group, early spring of this year. They don't have a ton of space, but its fine for the 1-2 weeks they need for that.
Currently it only houses the one hen, as she's the only broody and sitting on some eggs.

When using it to introduce new hens or as a broody-jail to break their broodiness, I take out the laying box and put in a roost.

 

[Phaedra Geiermann]

I could put 2 wyandotte bantams in the cage we have, yes. I've done so when I introduced 2 adult hens to my group, early spring of this year. They don't have a ton of space, but its fine for the 1-2 weeks they need for that.
Currently it only houses the one hen, as she's the only broody and sitting on some eggs.

When using it to introduce new hens or as a broody-jail to break their broodiness, I take out the laying box and put in a roost.

Thank you, I just tried now, however, the two broody hens -- one is alpha and the other is omega, they are both too upset to be put into broody jail, I am a bit worry that something bad might happen. So I just lock one inside first, another one which is not so seriously broody, I will give her a chance and see how is it coming few days.

Usually how many days you will need to let this broody jail work? Thanks again.

 

[Maiahr]

@Phaedra Geiermann when we use broody jail, we make sure it is dark as well, don't know why but people here do it. 2 days is enough in most cases. BUT the most common method here to break a broody hen is to give them a water bath. People here do not use cages. Actually most of my friends with chicken would never break a broody. In fact, people want broody hens, better than incubator.

So it was 38C today, expecting 39-40C tomorrow, I don't know what will happen with the 70 eggs under my hens. Urgh, I have some expensive pea fowl eggs under them too.

 

[chickengr]

I simply move a broody hen in a new place. she panics and forgets about broodiness straight away.

 

[BDutch]

I annoy my broodies by taking them out of the nest box, take away the eggs asap, and close the next box an hour before sunset -> so the hens have no other choice as to roost in the night. Normally they get over it in 2-4 days.

But next spring I hope to have fertile eggs and a broody again . Kwik my young cockerel is already trying to climb on a few hens.

 

[abpatchy]

I was able to take some pics of my girls.... hard to believe they were just tiny chicks in spring. Some have turned out really pretty and will probably be new breeders next year. Others will have to go to a new home.

 

[Phaedra Geiermann]

Thankfully, one of the two broody hens is back to normal this morning after staying in the crate for two days. I am happy to see her immediately join the flock for eating and foraging.

Now the crate is for another hen, hopefully her broodiness can be also successfully stopped. I already tried all necessary steps before putting them into the crate, from bringing them out several time till water bath.

She is very unhappy now

 

[Phaedra Geiermann]

Got today at Lidl about 2kg banana and some apples, with 50% discount, they are just about 2Euro.

Besides one banana is seriously damaged, others are totally fine, and immediately make some treats for the chicken!