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

[3happyhens]

We have 3 hens & our Gingernut Ranger last laid an egg on 18 May when she became broody. We let her free range with the other two & keep the door into the Eglu coop shut all day after the other two have laid to stop her sitting on the nesting box all the time. 3 weeks on & there doesn't seem an end to it And she is almost "oven ready" round her tummy as she's pulled out so many feathers into the nest! Don't fancy dunking her into cold water as that seems really mean. How much longer will this last?

 

Kate

[Egluntyne]

Dunking her in cold water won't do her any harm at this time of year.

 

Article about dealing with broody hens **here**

[sgregson]

I've got a broody hen too so I think I'm going to have to do the cold water dunking as have tried closing the eglu door etc but to no avail. I'm going to ask ridiculous question now, but once she's in the water how long does she have to stay in it? Is it a few mins or is it a quick in and out?

[Kittycat]

I tried the dunking in water, sometimes 2 or 3 times a day , and 'swished' Treacle around in there for a good minute or so to make sure she had a good dowsing, but she actually seemed to quite enjoy it and was found on the nest box again about 10 minutes later, still broody (if a little damp)

 

However, being locked out of the eglu in torrential rain all day on Saturday (bar the scant shelter provided by some garden shrubs) seems to have had the desired effect Of course, it could just be coincidence, but I think the cooler weather has helped her snap out of it.

[Phoebe]

I'd agree the weather has helped. My Joseph (yes she is a girl) spent all Friday and Saturday on the nest, all puffed up, but pushing her off it and substituting a couple of house bricks for the eggs seems to have worked a treat ! I think if the weather had stayed warm, it might have been much harder to keep her out.

[sugarspice]

when will a broody chicken come back into lay