4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Lisastyal]

I think 2 of my hens have gone broody? Salt - the silkie and Drumstick - the little bantam hen have spent the past day and a half sitting in the coop.

They are not sat on eggs and we have been moving them every now and again to get them downstairs into the run.

We tried shutting the coop this morning but one of the other hens wouldnt lay anywhere else so I opened it and they both shot in.The only thing is because Pepper - the other silkie, was laying in one nesting box the 2 'broody' ones are sat on top of one another in one box!!

They are sat with their mouths open.

Is this broody behaviour and what is the best way to try and deter them?

When we shut up the coop this morning Salt was bullying Drumstick like mad?

Any ideas?

[Egluntyne]

When they are broody, they become snappy and pecky and make an odd growling noise.

 

They also puff themselves up massively.

[Lisastyal]

The silkie - Salt - is pecky and noisy if you try and move her but the other one is still her usual placid self?

My plan of action at the moment is to open up the side of the coop so they are a bit more 'exposed' and this seems to shift them at least for a drink and food top up.

Is there any problems with them going broody? other than them not moving all day?

[Egluntyne]

Only that they lose condition as they eat and drink very little...and they stop laying.

[Paola]

One of mine has gone broody She is always broody at this time of year. The lack of eggs does not bother me but the hogging of the nest box does! I am trying the dunking method this year With the weather as it is she dries in no time at all.

[Lisastyal]

Ive managed to shift them both off the boxes for half an hour and they ate and drank loads and had a good scratch around. They were fine for a good half an hour but then started pecking each other so I let them back up Im too soft!!

I'm going to do the same after lunch and then at least I know they are eating and drinking.

My other issue is Im due my first baby in just over 4 weeks and although I am mostly at home now during the day, its getting quite tiring looking after them so much and I dont know how much time I'll be able to devote when baby comes along! I suppose the cockerels crowing at 5.30 are getting me used to being woken up early!!

[Paola]

Do you have an OH that could dunk them twice a day for you?