DMJ1123
Chirping
I have a flock of Buff Orpingtons so no doubt I see my share of broody hens this time of year. My neighbor was looking after them last weekend and noticed a broody. So he transferred her to my trusty "broody breaker". So on Monday night of this week I noticed she was no longer fluffing her feathers out but was in what seemed to be a broody trance. I could reach my hand in and touch her beak and she would stay completely still. So I thought that was odd but I decided to put her back into the coop and see what she would do. Soon after I put her back in she retreated back to the nesting box and resumed broody behavior. So back into the breaker she went.
Fast forward to today. She hadn't pooped since at least Monday, had eaten some, but drank very little water. Again I noticed she was in a zen-like trance, allowing me to touch her beak without moving, etc.
So I brought her outside. She ate some feed from my hand then proceeded to walk around and forage a bit as normal. I gave her some protein treats as well. Then out of nowhere she dropped a HUGE poop. Followed by a couple more small ones in a half hour span. One which was very runny. So after a while I decided to put her back in the coop just to see what she would do.
I put her back on a roosting bar in the run. She almost immediately began fluffing her feathers out and pointing herself downward. After about ten minutes she went back to the coop and right to the nesting box. I gave her some time, thinking maybe she was going to lay... Ugh, no go. Still signs of broodiness. She is back in the crate for now.
So I'm a bit stumped here. Most of my broodies break within 2-3 days of being in crate. So I just don't know what to think. Just a super stubborn broody? Maybe a bit sick? Interesting to note we have had some consistently hot days (85-95 degrees) here in Massachusetts over the past week. So not sure if that is a factor.
Anyone have any ideas?
Fast forward to today. She hadn't pooped since at least Monday, had eaten some, but drank very little water. Again I noticed she was in a zen-like trance, allowing me to touch her beak without moving, etc.
So I brought her outside. She ate some feed from my hand then proceeded to walk around and forage a bit as normal. I gave her some protein treats as well. Then out of nowhere she dropped a HUGE poop. Followed by a couple more small ones in a half hour span. One which was very runny. So after a while I decided to put her back in the coop just to see what she would do.
I put her back on a roosting bar in the run. She almost immediately began fluffing her feathers out and pointing herself downward. After about ten minutes she went back to the coop and right to the nesting box. I gave her some time, thinking maybe she was going to lay... Ugh, no go. Still signs of broodiness. She is back in the crate for now.
So I'm a bit stumped here. Most of my broodies break within 2-3 days of being in crate. So I just don't know what to think. Just a super stubborn broody? Maybe a bit sick? Interesting to note we have had some consistently hot days (85-95 degrees) here in Massachusetts over the past week. So not sure if that is a factor.
Anyone have any ideas?
