vikchick Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 Hi I have a Buff Orpingdon broody hen its her first time ... she has been sitting on her eggs since saturday and wont get off .. she is in a nice clean pen so i know if she has got off at all during the day as there are no sign of any droppings ..I did try and take her off yesterday to try and get her to eat and drink but shes just not having it she just sits there clucking at me bless her then hops back onto her eggs , im worried because shes not eating or drinking ... what am i to do?? will she starve and make herself ill??? or will she just get off and poop and eat when she is ready ? there is food and water for her in her pen for as and when she wants it any advice will be much help thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 Turf her off the nest at least once a day for 20 mins or so. Close the door of the Eglu so that she can't get back in. She'll not like it, but it is in her best interests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikchick Posted March 24, 2010 Author Share Posted March 24, 2010 shes not in an eglu i have her in a stable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 I see. In that case, I'd turf her of the nest and carry her outside to a little fenced off area with food and drink for a short while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julianna Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 I had the same problem with one of mine recently. After 6 weeks of trying to coax her out of it, I gave in and bought a cage from Pets At Home (meant for small dogs). I put her in there for 48 hours, with food and water. At night I put the cage in the shed, and in the daytime she was in sight of the other hens (who were very interested). She didn't like it much and it seemed really cruel to confine her, but after 48 hours she'd forgotten all about being broody. She started laying again about a week later. A miracle cure! I'd definitely recommend this. Although she was eating a bit when she was broody, and wasn't losing condition because I turfed her off the nest as much as possible, she just didn't seem herself. Now she's back to her sociable self. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 You either need to turf her off regularly as Egluntine has said and make sure she eats and drinks and poos or try to break her as Julianna has said. Some broody hens are too dim for their own good. Its not a case of nature knowing best, if you leave a broody to sit and she doesn't take care of herself (most do, but not all of them!) she puts herself/the hatch at severe risk I'm afraid - either before the hatch is due or after as she's too weak/single minded to look after both them and herself. Either way it will leave you panicking as you have to sort out other hatching/brooding facilities in a real hurry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 Am not clear. here.......are you wanting her to hatch the eggs or asking for advice on how to snap her out of her broodiness? Advice re snapping her out of it **here** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 It's Buffie all over again Daphne & Egluntyne Turf the stubborn little madam off her eggs everyday and make sure she eats loads and drinks too........and don't go away for a few days leaving inexperienced parents in charge ....My Buffie was the most amazing mum, but so very very bad at remembering to feed herself....as her first brood was mine too I learned the hard way........she hatched them last summer & we lost her a couple of weeks ago....she had never really recovered fully from the starvation diet & impacted crop she suffered with when the Bufflings were tiny. I ended up syringe feeding her for a week or so, then feeding her on my lap whilst the chicks fed on the ground and the Bufflings became very tame as they decided that as Buffie fed them everything that went within her reach, that they should be able to help themselves from her bowls on my lap I think some Orpingtons are probably very suited to motherhood.....with the benefit of hindsight, my Blue Splash should have had the mood broken the instant she started Good luck with your Buff Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikchick Posted March 29, 2010 Author Share Posted March 29, 2010 thanks for your advice guys ..Im wanting to hatch the eggs not stop her from hatching .. ok the last couple of days ive managed to get her off the nest and got her to eat some fresh corn off the cob i feel like im her nurse bless her, the only problem i have is she still doesnt want to drink hence giving her fresh corn on the cob as it has a fair bit of moisture ..should i give her a siringe of water ..she is now getting into the swing of getting off her nest and doing a poo but its a struggle keeping her off for to long bless her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 You can try syringing water but TBH I wouldn't fancy doing that for the next fortnight. You can also try dunking her beak in water to encourage her. Perhaps she is drinking when you're not looking? A bird can't last too long without moisture so if she really isn't drinking I'd be starting to worry. Have you checked her weight - is she OK? I've lost a weak broody orp before hatch and CnB's Mum has had a bad and unhappy experience where her broody did at least hatch but was ill and died months later. Unless your girl starts to behave a bit more normally quite quickly I'd be inclined to break her; brooding can really take it out of them. Some birds just aren't suited to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Hi, Could you try giving her a bit of cucumber? I give some to my Tortoises once a week to make sure they are fully hydrated (i give them baths daily but they don't always drink) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3happyhens Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 My gingernut ranger was broody last spring between mid-May till early July. I used to turf her off the nesting box in the morning & let her freerange for the day. That way I felt she would eat & drink. However, she did get very thin but emerged none the worse, & soon filled out & blossomed! Even laid more eggs than before, so I don't think you need to worry unduly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickyhazel Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 As long as you regularly give her food full of moisture she should be OK... but I would try and get her to drink. Could you put a drink container next to her so she can drink "on the job"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikchick Posted March 31, 2010 Author Share Posted March 31, 2010 thanks for all your advice guys i think ive got it coverd now as ive put fresh sweetcorn in a blow of water hand she is eating that with no problem so i guess she will be getting a fair bit of moisture daily from that .... i will keep you posted ...if your interested that is .. shes a buff orpington and ive been told they may one of the best broody hens so watch this space ...eggs due to hatch 10th feb .. she is sitting on 15 ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 that sounds promising Yes do keep us informed. 15 eggs is quite a lot; what are you going to do with the boys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 i will keep you posted ...if your interested that is .. shes a buff orpington and ive been told they may one of the best broody hens so watch this space ...eggs due to hatch 10th feb .. she is sitting on 15 ... If we are interested...........err I think I can speak for almost everyone on here when I say a resounding YES we are indeed interested ..and 15 eggs.........crikey she'll have her work cut out keeping that lot moved about & snuggly and once they hatch it'll be a job for her to give piggybacks to them all at the same time Photos are obligatory, you do know that don't you Good luck Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikchick Posted April 6, 2010 Author Share Posted April 6, 2010 well i have a friend who will have a one or maybe 2 and the others either sell give away or fatten then up i guess ... not alot else i can do ...?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikchick Posted April 6, 2010 Author Share Posted April 6, 2010 also there is no garentee that there all going to hatch ..ive not candled them ive just left them be ... its getting closer now .....4 days to go !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikchick Posted April 12, 2010 Author Share Posted April 12, 2010 THERE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im not sure how many there are yet as i didnt want to disturb her to much ... but they started hatching yesterday lunch time....but 2 little buff heads have been spotted so far .... i have a question as its my first time .. how long would it be untill( if there going to hatch) there all hatched ? should i remove the egg shells ? and change the hay as she broke an egg last week and its a bit smelly oh its all so exciting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikchick Posted April 12, 2010 Author Share Posted April 12, 2010 ok there are 4!!! but what about the eggs that are still under her ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 Congratulations I'd leave the broody, the chicks, the broken egg shells and any unhatched eggs for another 36 hours or so just in case you have any late hatchers - like lunch on Weds. Then, gently, slowly and try not to annoy Mum (and don't pick her up without checking who is holding onto her!) you should remove all the soiled stuff and give her nice new bedding. Make sure there is water within reach (but shallow so chicks don't fall in you can put marbles/pebbles in to help this) and Mum knows its there. Chicks don't need feeding for 24 hours but as that time must be up for the first 2 you need to provide chick crumb. Again make sure Mum knows its there. Check on this regularly as somebody is bound to knock it over/poo in it! You can also provide grain for her to eat, but really this should be out of chick's reach. Often she'll just eat crumb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikchick Posted April 16, 2010 Author Share Posted April 16, 2010 I am the proud owner of 6 little Orps ! there soooo cute . like little buzzie bees buzzing about and mummy is fantastic bless her ! can someone tell me how tp post pictures on here as i can find how to do it anywhere and id love to put some on thank you ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roobaloo Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 Awww!!! Congratulations!!!! I posted this in another thread, hope it helps (feel free to PM me if you get stuck!!!) If you want to post images, you need to 'host' them online...The best place, in my opinion, is http://www.photobucket.com Sign up and 'Upload' the pictures. You then need to 'Share' your photo...(there's usually a link to 'Share' above the photo once it's uploaded!) You'll get a window pop up, along the top select "Get Link Code" and select "Direct Link for Layout pages" Copy that link and it should look similar to this: (ignore the fact it says "Select All") http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b330/judziah172/photosukib.jpg Back to the forum and Click the Img Button at the top of your "Post a reply" window....and you get: [img][/img] These are known as 'tags' ...so now you need to post the link between the two tags so it looks like this: [img=http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b330/judziah172/photosukib.jpg] and when you submit it, it'll do this: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikchick Posted April 16, 2010 Author Share Posted April 16, 2010 (edited) . Edited April 16, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikchick Posted April 16, 2010 Author Share Posted April 16, 2010 omg!!!! it worked! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
