Prevention of broodiness???

[3KillerBs]

Here's a thought.... Is it a bad idea for me to be lazy and put them in jail in the run? Should they be completely separate from the rest of the flock? In my garage?

It's good to keep them in the coop or run to avoid having re-integration problems.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Here's a thought.... Is it a bad idea for me to be lazy and put them in jail in the run? Should they be completely separate from the rest of the flock? In my garage?

Mine stay caged in the run during the duration of broody breaking. I don't have a cage small enough to fit in the coop in a logical spot, plus the coop can get pretty warm mid-day right now which doesn't help them break.

And as 3KillerBs mentioned, it also means no need to reintegrate once they're broken.

 

[Happy hen lover]

It's good to keep them in the coop or run to avoid having re-integration problems.

That's a thought since she's bottom on the pecking order

 

[Murdy]

It's good to keep them in the coop or run to avoid having re-integration problems.

Mine stay caged in the run during the duration of broody breaking. I don't have a cage small enough to fit in the coop in a logical spot, plus the coop can get pretty warm mid-day right now which doesn't help them break.

And as 3KillerBs mentioned, it also means no need to reintegrate once they're broken.

Perfect!! That saves me some hassles.

It dawned on me that broodiness is "contagious" which made me wonder if it was the act of it, or the other hens can sense the hormones which would trigger them into brooding.

Oddly enough (maybe?) I have a white chantecler that pecks at my orpington every time I evict her (orpington) from a nest box when she's (orpington) broody. No other time from what I've seen.

Thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

It dawned on me that broodiness is "contagious" which made me wonder if it was the act of it, or the other hens can sense the hormones which would trigger them into brooding.

Not sure if it's something hormonal, or their behavior (like the sound of the broody cluck), that makes broodiness "contagious."

 

[Murdy]

Not sure if it's something hormonal, or their behavior (like the sound of the broody cluck), that makes broodiness "contagious."

If that's the case though, wouldn't it make more sense to separate them entirely in order to not "infect" the rest?

 

[rosemarythyme]

If that's the case though, wouldn't it make more sense to separate them entirely in order to not "infect" the rest?

Well for one, not all birds are inclined to go broody (this is most noticeable in a flock with various breeds). My own (unproven) theory is they need to be exposed to the broody behavior for a while before it "infects" them, so all the more reason to break them as promptly as possible.

 

[Murdy]

Well for one, not all birds are inclined to go broody (this is most noticeable in a flock with various breeds). My own (unproven) theory is they need to be exposed to the broody behavior for a while before it "infects" them, so all the more reason to break them as promptly as possible.

Yeah, I hear you. This is one of many downsides to me working out of town. I'm helpless when I see a hen go broody when I'm at work. (yes... I have cameras so I can watch them while I'm gone ). It's entirely possible for a hen to be broody for 7 days before I can get back to put her in jail.

 

[Happy hen lover]

To 3 killer, Rosemary and Murdy; Thanks for all your help with my 1st broody hen. Kept her in jail in my backyard next to run for about 36 hours. She settled down and I let her out to be with other hens and VOILA! She's back to normal pecking ground eating and drinking with the rest of flock . Still no eggs but I'm okay as long as she is not broody . She lost some weight but looks better already. Thanks you guys as always this is the best site ever. I did find out the eggs I thought were hers actually belong to my specked sussex Turns out broody ( BA) is a better layer than my SS .

 

[Murdy]

To 3 killer, Rosemary and Murdy; Thanks for all your help with my 1st broody hen. Kept her in jail in my backyard next to run for about 36 hours. She settled down and I let her out to be with other hens and VOILA! She's back to normal pecking ground eating and drinking with the rest of flock . Still no eggs but I'm okay as long as she is not broody . She lost some weight but looks better already. Thanks you guys as always this is the best site ever. I did find out the eggs I thought were hers actually belong to my specked sussex Turns out broody ( BA) is a better layer than my SS .

Anytime!! Always glad to share experiences an opinions.... Even with my lack of experience!