Yolky Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 I have a broody on my hands. She does look rather sweet all puffed up on the nest but she is blocking the nest. I only had one eggy today. I was wondering if it would be ok to put some straw into a cat box and pop her in there inside the run? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 I don't think that would help her snap out of it as you need to lower their temperature - hence the puppy cages raised off the ground. She'll probably just continue being broody in a cosy warm box . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 I haven't got a clue on this subject, but would Yolky's idea work if you put ice packs under the cat box?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yolky Posted September 3, 2008 Author Share Posted September 3, 2008 I have to say that I don't mind her being broody if I can still get eggs from the other 2 hens. I am here in the day so I can chuck her off the nest to make sure she eats regularly so doesn't lose lots of weight. My problem really is that there is only one nest box and so she is blocking it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenc Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 I'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination but one of mine was going broody a couple of weeks ago. I kept taking her out of the nest box until the others had laid, then I let her go in for a little while but I put an ice pack in so she was sitting on that to help to cool her down. Then I took her out of the nest box (once I was sure she wasn't going to lay) and shut the eglu door. I also put an upturned plant pot in the nesting box overnight so she couldn't go in it then I wasn't bothered about her not laying eggs but was concerned about the others not being able to get in to the nestbox as well as her health as she is fairly small and light compared to the others and didn't want her losing weight or catching something It took about 3 or 4 days and then she just stopped trying to go into the nestbox and another week before she started laying again Hope that helps Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 You certainly can put her in a cat box and she will quite happily sit there brooding leaving the nest box free for the others. The problem you might have is that she will continue to sit there. Some sit for weeks on end and they do lose condition and weight. It's a pain to do, but it will be quicker (and I think kinder if you're not hatching with her) to snap her out of it, so put the box up on bricks, and don't put any comfy straw or anything in it. You need to lower her temperature to stop her being broody. They look sweet all puffed up but mine turns into a rottweiller with PMT when she's broody and I try to move her Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
