/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

She wants to be broody but has a short attention span UPDATE

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by Leavingegypt, Sep 24, 2012.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Sep 24, 2012 #1
    Leavingegypt

    Leavingegypt Chillin' With My Peeps

    256
    3
    101
    Mar 21, 2012
    Like chicken like owner maybe. Anyway, I have an almost 7mnth old BO (along with 3 Production Reds, 5 Black Ameraucanas and 1 EE). My BO wilma has been acting broody for a few days. She is irritable, puffs up like a turkey when you get near her and sits in the nest box. The puffing and fussing she is excelling at, the sitting not so much. The most she has been able to do is about 4-5 hrs. in the morning. I make sure she has eggs to sit on, because I would love for her to have some chicks- but her short attention span overides her hormones and off she goes. The eggs go cold while she's out doing chickeny things and forgets to return. She roosts at night, so I know she's just not into it.
    Should I just monitor her and wait to see if she catches on or is she too young and wait for several more months? I just re-homed my BO roo who had a bad attitude and I know time is ticking on those fertilized eggs in her oh so turkeyfied body.
     
    Last edited: Sep 25, 2012
  3. Sep 25, 2012 #2
    Judy

    Judy Moderator Staff Member

    34,028
    449
    448
    Feb 5, 2009
    South Georgia
    Sounds like an incubator is the best solution for the eggs you have now. Many people don't consider them truly broody unless they stay on the nest for 24 to 48 hours, as roosting at night is a pretty good sign they aren't. She might even be spending some daylight hours on the nest for other reasons.
     
  5. Sep 25, 2012 #3
    Happy Chooks

    Happy Chooks Moderator Staff Member

    39,639
    1,173
    516
    Jul 9, 2009
    Northern CA
    My Coop
    If she's not on the nest at night, she's not broody. She's probably thinking about it though - I had a hen do the same thing. It took her 3 months to finally go broody.
     
  7. Sep 25, 2012 #4
    Leavingegypt

    Leavingegypt Chillin' With My Peeps

    256
    3
    101
    Mar 21, 2012
    Well wilma has been on her eggs for more than 24 hours. She is not roosting, eating, drinking or much of anything but acting like a grumpy turkey when disturbed. Of course her favorite box has to be the one closest to the pop door, so everytime someone goes in or checks in she growls and fluffs.
    I put some water near-by as well as some treats. We'll see if she has touched them in the a.m.
    So I guess it's Day 1 and counting. Go Wilma Go! [​IMG]
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by