juliec Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 Hi everyone Im very new to keeping chickens, ive had my three ladies for about 2 months now and so far everything has been rather super and ive really enjoyed myself. However we have been away for a couple of days and a friend has been caring for the girls. Gertrude is acting a bit weird today she appears to have been sat on the nest most of the day, so ive moved her off and closed the door to the eglu, she's now running around the garden like something posessed and making lots of strange noises, every so often she calms down and gets something to eat and drink and then it all starts again. Anyone got any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 Could she be broody? Is she laying for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 broody or preparing for it at least! She will sit on eggs - or fresh air. Adopt pancake stance - flat to the boards. Fluff up and growl and possibly peck if you go near. If you want to hatch you need some eggs but you also need to consider what to do with the inevitable cockerals. If you want her to stop she needs to be 'broken'. The surest sharpest way is to put her in an open mesh cage (like cat/dog cage) up on bricks so she can't get comfy and air circulates to cool her down a bit. This will take 2-3 days. Other remedies include dunking her in cold water (they pluck their breasts and generate loads of heat for keeping the eggies warm) but this is far from a guaranteed solution or shutting her out (but often they sit around grumpily until let back in). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennydavies Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 Do they all go through this at some point in their lives ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 Sure sounds like a broody hen to me . Not every hen will get broody - only one of mine has (twice) in the 3 years I've had chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 Another "vote" for broodiness I'm afraid But you're in good company, so don't worry, lots of advice on the forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 Sounds broody to me too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
