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

[Sammy]

My Silver Sussex Streamer, Vimto, is very broody bless her. She started the day before we went on holiday, so 19 August, so she's at 16 days now.

 

She comes off the nest of her own accord, but being my first broody and a bit of protective Mother Hen (so to speak) I'm moving her more regularly to ensure she toilets, eats and drinks.

 

She's very docile, doesn't mind being handled at all - she's my favourite girl and was always gentle.

 

Today I realised where all the feathers are coming from and she's now completely bald on her chest

 

I've read the excellent broody hen post in the Poultry Health Section, and all my girls get Poultry Spice, Citricidal and Lifeguard (just switched from Battles today).

 

I'm also providing liberal dustings of Diatoms in the nest box, house and dustbath, which she's still using daily and I've covered her in louse powder regularly to keep away the creepy crawlies and she's definitely free of all horrible things.

 

You will see from my other post on worms, that all my girls are being Flubenvetted at the moment aswell but Vimto showing no signs of those (well not expelling any worms anyway).

 

Otherwise she's looking really good and would make an excellent Mum!

 

Is there any other supplements I should be offering to help her regrowth and condition as I'm hoping she will snap out of it after 21 days (possibly being very naive here).

Edited September 13, 2009 by Guest

[xScrunchee]

Sounds like you are doing a good job with her

 

It might be in her best interests though if you chuck her out of the nest box. Maybe when your other girls have laid-chuck her out and close the door so she can't get back in.

 

It might even be an idea to put her into a broody cage to cool her down as sadly they do not always snap out of it after 21 days and all this while they do not look after themselves properly.

 

Best of luck with her

[Sammy]

Hi XScrunchee

 

I am kicking her out of the nest box - well blocking it up actually once I know the rest have laid.

 

I've tried a broody cage but that didn't work but I may not have left her in there long enough. Am I supposed to leave her in there day and night? My run is a long low level one so the broody cage won't fit in the run overnight and I was worried about keeping her separated from the rest and out of sight.

 

I think I might start having to dunk her in water.

 

What do you think?

[Egluntyne]

Yep....leave her in the broody cage for at least three days and night. It is the quickest way.

[Sammy]

Should I bring her indoors at night then as the run height won't accommodate the height of the cage (it's a dog cage so quite big)?

[Egluntyne]

A good idea.

[Sammy]

OK - will give it another go.

 

Thanks!!! Let's hope I can snap her out of it and then I'm trouble free - for now

[Sammy]

Now on day 2 of broody cage!

 

Once I got through the first evening my feelings of how cruel this is disappeared as I realised this is definitely the right thing to do. My other 6 girls are also now very happy that they are not having to push and shove for nest box space whilst Vimto attempts to sit on their heads and scoop their eggs up in a very unladylike manner.

[Sammy]

After 3 nights and 3.5 days of the broody cage, my Vimto is strutting her stuff in the garden and so far is showing no signs of fleeting back to the nest box and enjoying her re-release to freedom!!!

 

I had my doubts and tried everything else first, but I have to say it does seem to work and if one of my other girls goes broody I don't think I will bother with the water dunking etc and I will get the cage straight back out!

 

I'm so relieved, my month of worms, softies and broodiness is at an end!!!!

[Egluntyne]

That is good news.

[fluffyknickers]

YAYAY!!!