Relentless Broody! What do I do?

[Jennywoz]

I have an Ameruacana that has been broody for about a week now. I have separated her from the others (she's now on her own in the pen while the other girls free-range.) Even though I separated her, she's still just sitting and sitting. And she's not laying. She has food and water, but doesn't seem too interested. I separated her because she wasn't letting the other girls onto the nest to lay, but I feel so sorry for her in isolation!

What should I do? And how long is this behavior expected to last?

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:

Does she have eggs under her? If so it takes 21 days for the eggs to hatch. If not, remove all nesting materials from where she is and leave her there for a few days. That will break the broody!!!!

 

[Jennywoz]

Nope, no eggs! I managed to steal the last one she laid on Friday. Nothing since then. She's just nested down and watches me with a beady eye!

 

[FisherMOM]

I hear it is best if when separating them, do NOT give them bedding or a nest. They need to be uncomfortable. A wire dog crate works great. a friend of mine just broke 3 broodies this way.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

i've read about putting them in a hutch with a wire bottom so the air blows up their wazoo. But i managed to break a determined broody by simply putting her in a hutch with no nesting material at all. It took about three days.

 

[Jennywoz]

Thanks for all the advice! I'm going to try raking out any nesting material and see how she responds to that!

 

[Jennywoz]

So I took the advice given and removed all nesting material from the broody I had separated from the other girls. Took just under 3 days for her to quit laying around like a prima donna, at which point I allowed her to rejoin the others. After two or three days, she started laying again! Thanks to all who gave advice! I'll know what to do if this happens again!

 

[FisherMOM]

glad to hear it worked! I have an Australorp starting to go broody I think.