Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Maisie went broody on Sunday morning. We were away for the day (that's another story ) but the next morning I put her straight into the broody cage. She stayed there all day but we put her in the eglu last night (OH insisted - I was planning to leave her in it all night too ). Today is looking good - no broody signs at all . So, I wouldn't bother with the dunking, the icepacks in the nestbox, the removal from the nestbox ...... go straight to the broody cage . If it only takes a day, it's worth the guilt . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 oh thats great news, bless her little fluffy knickers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Thats good news. What did you use as a broody cage? Butch went broody so many times last year and I did all the dunking etc but in the end I just let her get on with it but it did last a couple of weeks each time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 glad it worked for you My cochins can endure days in the slammer without effect, they sure have some stamina! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 7, 2009 Author Share Posted April 7, 2009 I used a puppy crate I got off Ebay. Here is Molly in it last year . I feel slightly happier using it now as it's safe within the WIR and the others are right there for company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barkisland Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Thanks for the update and useful photo. My Mary has gone broody again. She has only been laying again for a fortnight, since the last broody spell which lasted for 7 weeks. Have a dog crate, will put her in it tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 7, 2009 Author Share Posted April 7, 2009 Just be careful how you fix the water and food containers if you won't be around. They tend to try to perch on them . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Awww bless her Anyone near you with some fertilised eggs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barkisland Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Just be careful how you fix the water and food containers if you won't be around. They tend to try to perch on them . Will do, thanks for the tip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 I used a puppy crate I got off Ebay. Here is Molly in it last year . I feel slightly happier using it now as it's safe within the WIR and the others are right there for company. Thanks for the tip and the pics. As you may know, Orps are prone to spells of broodiness. It's not happened to either of our two yet, but I'm sure it will soon enough. I'll know exactly what to do now! Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eglutinie Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 hi thanks for the idea of the cage .my light sussex is broody and has been for a couple of weeks .the others go to lay and just sit on top of her .its a bit annoying because you have to use a stick to push her off the eggs and you dont want to hurt her but i dont really like the idea of putting her in a cage Green Gables Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 7, 2009 Author Share Posted April 7, 2009 I know a cage sounds cruel but to my mind it's better than a hen sitting pointlessly on an eggless nest possibly for weeks, losing feathers and condition through not eating properly . You do feel really guilty while they're in there - it's up to you whether you can cope with it. I was really pleased it only took one day. (By the way, you need to raise the cage up on bricks or something so the air can get round their nether regions and keep them cool.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 I used the broody cage last year a couple of times, I think Ivory is going broody again so she may be in it soon. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie the Moocher Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 I used a puppy crate I got off Ebay. Here is Molly in it last year . I feel slightly happier using it now as it's safe within the WIR and the others are right there for company. Awww. Chicken in a basket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barkisland Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 I know a cage sounds cruel but to my mind it's better than a hen sitting pointlessly on an eggless nest possibly for weeks, losing feathers and condition through not eating properly . You do feel really guilty while they're in there - it's up to you whether you can cope with it. I was really pleased it only took one day. (By the way, you need to raise the cage up on bricks or something so the air can get round their nether regions and keep them cool.) I know. Mary pulled out all her hackle feathers last time, lost her position in the pecking order, and loads of weight. I don't think she would survive another 7 week broody spell. The others have started picking on her already and she isn't fighting back - she used to be top chook! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Good to hear that she has snapped out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Do you put her back in the eglu to roost at night or does she stay in it all the time? You should see the size of my dog crate - it would take up half the run!! I might have a look for a smaller one. I will use the big one if I get any new girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 8, 2009 Author Share Posted April 8, 2009 When we used it for Molly last year we moved the crate, with her in it, into the shed at night. Partly for some shelter from the elements but also to keep her safe - the cage has very wide holes. I was planning to leave Maisie in the cage overnight with a blanket over the top but OH insisted I should put her in the eglu! (He's definitely coming over to the chicken-side .) It still worked even putting her back in the eglu at night, so I'd probably do that in future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Thanks for that - handy to know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Well done - Cheyenne is well into it at the moment. Sioux has had 2 days where she starts but I have grabbed her out and she forgets for a few days. Apache did it once and I cleaned the cube and they both forgot about it. So far so good. So to stop Cheyenne being in the box too long I take her out several times a day, and DD grabs her for cuddles too. She will eat, drink and dustbath, preen, chill with the other girls and then back she goes. She seems to be eating well enough, large crop, and because we have a fairly big garden she gets her exercise too - and I massage her legs just in case (she refused to go in the broody box point blanc). What a headache! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
