Swinging chickens upside down?

[jermoatc]

I had a lady tell me to swing my broody hen upside down to break her of her broodiness. Anybody know if this works or not?

 

[Fred's Hens]

First, it is rather cruel and this tend to choke the chicken. Second, it is an old wives tale with no factuality. It likely "broke" one hen, one time, a hundred years ago and the myth gets repeated and repeated. Sort of like the feeding them corn "warms them up" myth.

 

[raro]

Along the same idea...When I bought my first hens, the farmer I bought them from held them upside down by their feet. He said it "kept them calm." Maybe that's where the idea came from? I don't know, but it was weird to see him gather my girls like that. I wanted to tell him, "Hey, those are my girls you're dipping upside down!" but I was too new to know any better anyway. I don't know, it kept the birds quiet, but I agree with Fred, I think it's rather cruel.

 

[LindsayB]

I think its just an old wives tale.

I hang my chickens upside down when I dust them though. It really does have a calming effect and makes things much easier.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Big difference in holding, gently, upside down when catching/collecting them, then gathering them in your arms properly. I do this all the time.

The OP asked about "swinging a hen upside down". THAT is what I would consider on the cruel side of things. Just for clarity.

 

[Nicole01]

I agree that is a cruel thing to do!