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

[no1motherhen]

Hello

Matilda, one of my has been broody for 24 days now. She initially went broody a day before we were going on hol, so we were limited in what we could do to snap her out of it as we couldn't expect the chicken sitter to do too much, plus we have 2 other laying hens so can't deny them all access to the nest box.

 

Since our return, we have forced her out of the box three times a day and have shut the door for periods of time once the other two have laid so she is forced to do normal chicken things and she is happy to eat, drink, dust bathe and scratch around for a certain length of time. After this, if we don't open the door, she flies up onto the roof (yes, her wing has been clipped!) and scrabbles around, desperate to get into the box.

 

I have read that a broody hen will generally "snap out of it" after about 3 weeks - is this so? Can broodiness drag on longer than this?

 

Thanks for any advice - apart from the broodiness and bald abdomen, she seems fit and well but obviously no eggs

 

Claire

[Chucky Mama]

One of our Bluebelles has just returned to lay after being broody for 5 months! Thankfully she wasn't completely nest obsessed all day for all of that time, she would pop in and out and still ate.

[chelsea]

My cochins are professional brooders! (from March to September)

 

The can get out of condition (colour of feathers, colour of comb etc), but you are doing the right thing by turfing her out of the nest and encouraging her to eat/drink.

 

It's a natural process so I wouldnt worry too much, my girls soon get their condition back after a long stint of broodiness.

[Guest]

Yep my speckledy I gave up segregation and now turf her out late in the afternoon for some water and food and shut the door to keep her out! She is now use to me hauling her out and strangely she was the most scatty one who now is a lamb!

She looks after everone elses eggs and they are nice and warm

indie

[CluckyBucks]

My silkie has been broody for about a month now, she comes out about twice a day and does the usual healthy chickeny things its her first time being broody, so im wondering how long it will take until she snaps out of it

 

xx xx

[no1motherhen]

Thanks for the replies she is still little miss hormonal but seems ok - but she may have lost a little weight. But it seems mealworms trump broodiness - when I feed the others worms, madam is more than happy to join in

I guess we will have to wait for nature to run its course as I don't really fancy the idea of dunking her in cold water!

Claire