Solitary chicken - need advice

[Tulip]

 

She went in at lunchtime and hadn't been seen since. Pulled her out to find Cinnamon's egg (hot!!) beneath her. Had a lovely cuddle. Put her down on the grass.... and she just sat there.

 

Now, we'd just been thinking about replacing Baby (RIP) with a couple more Cr Legbars...... Surely only a mad person would be considering phoning HenHousePoultry for some eggs

 

Oh, and Redfrock - stop encouraging me please

[alison]

It seems to be the season! One of my White Sussex is plumped up to twice her size and has been hogging the nesting box for the last three days

 

She is now in a dog crate for the next 2 days, I hope that is the right thing to do!

[Janty]

I've got Delia and Mrs. Beeton broody at the moment (again!)

 

[Egg Lou]

Most definiatly the season ... I have four like this at the moment, 3 pekins now in the 'sin bin' and suffolk sitting on some eggs.. so not many eggs coming into the kitchen at the moment

[Lewis]

That picture is hilarious! :lol:

[Electricbarbarella]

that is one grumpy looking girl, give her some eggs. you know you want to, I want one of my girls to go broody so i have to give her eggs rather than wiat till next year as I have promised I will.

[redfrock]

 

Oh, and Redfrock - stop encouraging me please

 

Moi? Never! So, shall we take a drive over to Ben one day then? I would of course just be popping in to say hello.

 

I think you should bring her over next Monday just so I can carry her around. Just see it can't you - her under one arm, Tallulahbelle under my other

[Tulip]

For once I'm being the sane person in this marriage - I've tried to point out that we're both v impulsive at times and this may be another example. But Hubby insists we were going to get two new hens anyway and this way we get to make Chive a happy girl......

 

If anyone sees Ben at HHP, tell him to expect a call from a rather excitable Omleteer tomorrow.

 

Now... will I have to separate her and the eggs from the other two great lumbering oafs? What about when the babies hatch? How soon do I need to get eggs under her so that she doesn't give up before they're hatched?

 

So much to learn....

[The Dogmother]

Brilliant picture of a grumpy broody!

 

I've just cured Lavinia but I;m sure it won't be long before she's broody again

[Ain't Nobody Here]

That is a fabulous photo . (I just love her feather markings .)

[LJ's Chooks]

Oh i wish one of mine would go broody... they have suddenly started eating eggs!!!!! checking for eggs every time one of them moves now!!!!!

[Budgies]

That is such a funny photo, Tulip, look at the grumpy Chive chicken!!!

 

Put some pot eggs under her for now if you're going to go ahead. (or golf balls or similar)

[Seagazer]

What a great photo, she really does look grumpy. She has great colouring though.

 

I'm trying hard to resist visiting Hen House Poultry at the moment. I feel I will crack soon....

[Cinnamon]

I have 3 broody bantams at the moment

Poor Floss, the only non broody, is laying her eggs in the pen!

 

[The Dogmother]

Mine used to do that Sarah - I am glad of the cube's bigger nest box.

 

Want to borrow my broody cage?

 

I found Betty crouching over 5 eggs this lunchtime - I hope that she was just laying one of her own, but she had that slightly crazed look that broodies take on.

[Cinnamon]

They do get a crazed loo,don't they?

 

I have a broody cage thanks Clare, but they are so sweet when they brood that I am always loath to use it

Big softie,me.

[littlegem]

Brilliant picture of a grumpy broody!

 

I've just cured Lavinia but I;m sure it won't be long before she's broody again

 

 

How did you cure your broody hen I have one that is just sitting on the nest all the time all fluffed up but she is not laying any eggs. Now my other one has stopped laying too is it because the nest is occupied all the time Help I have tried putting a brick in there and a pot but she just sits on top of them I have also tried the cold water dip that been suggested on here. I just want my eggs back

[The Dogmother]

Cold dipping just doesn't work littlegem and I don't like doing it because they hate it.

 

You need to make your own broody cage - the idea being to get cool air to circulate around their nethers. One of those white wire pet carriers is ideal and two clip-on coop cups.

 

Raise the cage up on two bricks in the run wheer they can be with the other hens, clip on the coop cups and fill one with food and t'other with water. I put the plastic base out of the cage on the top to stop the others sitting on it and pooing on her. Refresh the water and food daily, but leave her in there 24/7 for 3 days and she'll shake out of it. I always turf the broodster out in the morning so she's not going staright in to roost.

[keyhole kate]

I have a very determined Broody Partridge Brahma who does exactly the same thing

puffs up & just stays exactly as she was in the nest when turfed out

but she does let the others in to lay

[meezers]

That made me laugh, if looks could kill !!

[mrs chook]

Brilliant! I love that look, she is one stroppy looking girly

 

I have not had anyone go broody as yet!?! (speaking too soon, no doubt!)

[Tulip]

Bless her she's beautiful isn't she? She looks angry but is utterly soppy at the moment.

 

Got her some eggs today - 6 cream legbar and 2 freebies of a breed I can't remember what he called them. They were stunning chooks - beautiful, colourful and teeeeny weeny!

 

Will turf her out first thing and slip half of them in, put the rest in when we get home from work. Oooh the excitement