Eglu cube or go up with 2m run

[Sammy]

Hi Everyone

 

My Silver Sussex Streamer is now in her 5th brood since last June. Water dunking has never worked for her but 3 days/3 nights in the broody cage has always worked previously. However, this time it hasn't. She was removed from the broody cage on day 4 and went straight back to the nest box. She was immediately transferred back to the cage where she has spent a further 3 days/3 nights and today she is still broody giving the tell-tales signs I recognise all too well of the little bok-boking she does and her impression of a fluffy football.

 

So today is day 7 in the broody cage - any ideas as I'm getting desperate and feeling sorry for her isolation. She is in the same area as the other chickens but it's no life being stuck in the cage all day.

 

Thanks

Blenhen

[Sammy]

So I let her out of her broody cage to test the water but kept the chicken house door closed. She has mingled with the other hens all day, had a good dustbath, had a wander around. I opened the chicken house door 10 minutes ago and she's in the nestbox.

 

I've tried ice under her and can't snap her out of it.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks again

[Redwing]

are you able to section off part of the run for her so she can stay out but not get back to the coop? as long as the perimeter is sound the sectioned off bit could be anything - puppy pen, chicken wire, cheap netting (knowles nets are good) Just put the cage in there at night for her to sleep in or remove her to the main coop at night

[Sammy]

Hi Tasha

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

They have a very large pen and a new extension which we added a few weeks ago which is turfed. I can easily section that extension off during the day with food and water and keep her there and then return her to the broody cage back in the main pen at night, it would just mean the other hens wouldn't be allowed in to the extension but at least they can go into the coop to lay in peace and my broody gets some space.

 

How long would you recommend Tasha? Another 3 days / 3 nights?

 

When I let her out today the other hens all had a go at her, so I'm concerned the longer I section her from the rest the worst it may get. No harm done yet but I fear she's becoming more estranged the longer it goes on and then as soon as the weather warms up she immediately gets broody again.

 

Or I guess when I know the other girls have finished laying I could all open them up together again and keep the coop door closed like I did today (apart from the opening door test which proved she was still broody!) but the others do like to take shade in the coop when it's very hot.

 

I could also alternate the arrangement daily then the other hens don't get disgruntled with not being able to go into their grassy extension!

 

Thanks

Sam

[Redwing]

If there is other shade then you could close the coop, just dont forget to open it again (voice of experience )

 

If you do section her off perhaps put one of the others with her

 

Its trial and error as to how long to leave it, try her back with the others in a few days just be prepared to revert to the pen if any problems