Will broodiness pass on it's own?

[TexasTransplant]

I have a broody Orpington, will it pass on its own eventually? I don't have any roosters or fertile eggs (and I don't want anymore chickens atm) She has been broody going on for nearly 4 weeks now, I thought it would pass if I just waited it out. She won't even get off the nest to drink or eat, I have to take her off and she eventually drinks some water and eats a little before rushing back. I have tried the ice thing under her, but it is already hot here in Texas and they melt straight away, I tried a wire bottom cage but felt so sorry for her I let her out after 24 hours.

Will it pass on its own? There are not going to be any fertile eggs, and my chickens are pets with eggs as a bonus so I don't mind her not laying, but I am worried for her health the longer it goes on.

 

[PraiseGod]

[COLOR=333333]I have a broody Orpington, will it pass on its own eventually? I don't have any roosters or fertile eggs (and I don't want anymore chickens atm) She has been broody going on for nearly 4 weeks now, I thought it would pass if I just waited it out. She won't even get off the nest to drink or eat, I have to take her off and she eventually drinks some water and eats a little before rushing back. I have tried the ice thing under her, but it is already hot here in Texas and they melt straight away, I tried a wire bottom cage but felt so sorry for her I let her out after 24 hours. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=333333]Will it pass on its own? There are not going to be any fertile eggs, and my chickens are pets with eggs as a bonus so I don't mind her not laying, but I am worried for her health the longer it goes on.[/COLOR]

My Orpingtons have went broody a couple times. I didn't try the wire cage. I just kept tossing her out of the nest box and block off the nest box when all the girls are done laying. I'd have to take her out and put her on the roost at night. Had to do it for 3-4 days. I wore gloves because she would nip at me good. It did take a lot of time and attention. I could see why some would use the box but I couldn't imagine my (usually) sweet orps in it. Sorry it doesn't answer your specific question. I never wanted to find out if it would go away on its own. Ours are also pets with egg benefits too. Definitely didn't seem healthy if being done for nothing

 

[Pork Pie]

For some it will pass - for others they can be so determined that the duration of broodiness can have negative effects on their health (weight loss can result in a compromised immune system, thus making them susceptible to sickness).

After 4 weeks, I'd do something about it personally. We all differ in our management styles, so do what you feel is best.

 

[drumstick diva]

I don't think it passes on it's own, and with her not eating much, she is really going to be run down. If you don't have the heart to break her, try getting just one tiny chick from the feed store ??? and putting it in near her. If she tucks it underneath her, she has accepted it. If she tries to attack or push it away - experiment failed.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I have a broody Orpington, will it pass on its own eventually? I don't have any roosters or fertile eggs (and I don't want anymore chickens atm) She has been broody going on for nearly 4 weeks now, I thought it would pass if I just waited it out. She won't even get off the nest to drink or eat, I have to take her off and she eventually drinks some water and eats a little before rushing back. I have tried the ice thing under her, but it is already hot here in Texas and they melt straight away, I tried a wire bottom cage but felt so sorry for her I let her out after 24 hours.

Will it pass on its own? There are not going to be any fertile eggs, and my chickens are pets with eggs as a bonus so I don't mind her not laying, but I am worried for her health the longer it goes on.

Experiencing the EXACT SAME ISSUE, my broody's a Wyandotte. Did exactly what PraiseGod did; removing & blocking off the nest after all lay (5); worked after 3 days the first time couple months ago. This time it's not working, going on to 4wk, feel the same as you "Pets with Benefits", no eggs fine just concerned about her health. Haven't tried the wire cage yet, got one on order but will try the ice, assuming put it under her when she's sitting in the nest.

drumstick diva - The chick idea is a good one, the feed store has a minimum purchase of 6 here, good excuse to get more

Need to see if someone will sell me a chick & take it back if it don't work. I'd get some fertile eggs to put under her but timing's wrong...My Mom has surgery coming up, Hubby's my reluctant animal sitter and don't want to add to his "chores".

 

[TexasTransplant]

Hallelujah!!! She got of the nest today on her own and is walking around doing her normal chicken thing!! I gave up on the ice and didn't use it last night but maybe it did help, I don't know. Funny how that works, I post here for help and the next morning it suddenly resolves itself. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is over and not just a flash in the pan.
I had tried blocking off the nest and removing her daily after all were done laying, but it never did any good, she would just walk around near the blocked nests all puffed up like a puffer fish until bed time LOL

 

[donrae]

Putting her in a cage for a few days isn't mean, she's already isolating herself by being broody. Myself, I think letting her brood for this long with no results is worse. they lose condition (weight), they're prone to parasites, they can lose place in the pecking order, and you lose egg production.

 

[junebuggena]

Don't really understand why people feel bad for putting broodies in wire cages. It's not really any different than letting them sitting on a nest that will never hatch eggs. IMO, ice is more cruel than a cage. And it's not really healthy to let them brood past 4 weeks.

 

[aldarita]

I have a chronic broody who is 2 years old. Last year I let her in the nest to brood without eggs, it took her 5 weeks to get back to normal. It was like the "spell" went away all of a sudden. I decided to let the broodiness take its course with the idea that maybe that way she would get over it for a long while, little did I know she would go back at it shortly. I broke her every month and it took about a week to break (she went into a big cage with no nest or nesting materials)in a room with AC. I know my broody and I will have a long broody breaking work this year. She is broody right now but this time I have fertile eggs on the way and she will be hatching chicks soon.