Patridge bantam chicken poorly foot?

[chickeroo]

Hi,I think in need help!!!

 

We've had our 4 girls since July 24th (2 laying since first week Aug two not yet laying)and Bernard(blackadder fan!)has been in the nest box of our cube since yesterday.

I've hoisted her out twice and checked her, which is odd as she doesn't like to be picked up normally (ok I did get a grumpy peck)she seems in good health.

She's been laying since Aug 1st nearly every day,but not in the last two days.

Now there were also two softies in the roosting area that have fallen through the bars and removed at lunch time,I think they were from one of the non layers as she is very red around thr face the last week,perhaps I missed one last night.

If they were from 'broody' Bernard maybe she's not broody but poorly!

If she's broody how do I snap her out and still let the new layers get used to the nest box..........oh dear oh dear!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

If she (great name, Blackadder fan here too!) is broody, you can do a few things. Is she fluffing up like a big grumpy pancake when you try to remove her from the nestbox? Or trying to get back into the cube at every opportunity?

 

• Chuck her off the nestbox at every opportunity, however much she complains.
   
  Put a brick in the nestbox and shut the door (if any other hens have laid already).
   
  Dunk her nether regions in a bucket of cold water as many times a day as you can be bothered.
   
  Put her in a broody cage (a puppy crate or similar) with food and water and raised off the ground to let air get to her undercarriage - 3 or so days should fix it.

 

Good luck!

[chickeroo]

Thanks ANH,

 

Yup she's ceratinly relentless on the nestbox front, I hoist her out via egg port and she runs back round the run and in through the front door!!!!

And yes she does fluff and grump when removed.

 

When is the latest I can dunk her during the day? Can I assume she will need to be completely dry by bedtime?

 

I did put balls and flower pots into nest box yesterday only to find her crammed in between!

So will try a hearty brick today!!!

 

Thanks again.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I suppose you would need to let her dry off first (hadn't thought of that as I never did it late in the day!)

 

Maybe just do it in the morning and early afternoon then!

[Abbey Road Girl]

Is she a Pepperpot? My Sweetie went semi-broody a couple of weeks ago. Pecked at me when I disturbed her in the nesting box, but also came out when treats were being offered to the rest. I then shut off the nest box (the others had already laid) and she behaved no differently than the rest. This happened a few times and I never had the need to dunk her or otherwise interfere.

 

Good luck!