wendalgar Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 Can anyone advise me as to the best way to deal with this! Button is the bottom of the pecking order of my 3 girls. She got broody about a week ago, hates being moved off her nest (which she seems to forget is also the nest for the other 2!). When she does come out she kicks & scratches the living daylights out of the water bowl, if my elderly collie is in the garden just minding her own business, Button will charge at her, squawking and wings flapping. Tai is such a softie she runs into the house for cover. But its getting better not worse! Any hints or tips as to the best way forward would be warmly welcomed! Wend & her very hen-pecked border collie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 I would sort out the broodiness. Either the dog cage raised on bricks or dunking in the water technique. Hopefully then she will feel better - and bit more inclined to be friendly to the poor dog!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 Have you got a dog crate? If so, It is idea for using to snap the hen out of its broodiness, and will give the other hens and the dog some respite. **More here** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoura Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 My daft Cilla is broody for the 4th time at the moment I've only had them since last August! She is really nasty when broody and I have a lovely bruise on my right arm to prove it!! (Needless to say she is in the cage of shame again since last night....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendalgar Posted July 5, 2010 Author Share Posted July 5, 2010 Thanks! I like the idea of the cage of shame! Not fully grasping the psychology behind why it works but will most cerainly do it this week... Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendalgar Posted July 5, 2010 Author Share Posted July 5, 2010 I would sort out the broodiness. Either the dog cage raised on bricks or dunking in the water technique. Hopefully then she will feel better - and bit more inclined to be friendly to the poor dog!! What is the dunking in water technique dare i ask!?!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 It's something that works for some, and not for others. For me it works, and saves having to find room for a dog cage. I fill a large container with water, pick up chicken, and shand her in the cold water. The water needs to be high enough so her "undercarriage" gets a good soak. Gently moving her feathers around ensures a good soaking. After a good few mins, take chicken out and let her shake herself off. And repeat as often as required every couple of hours - or less if she is determined. I find for the first dunk the chook is very docile (i.e. still in pancake mode). By the 3rd or 4th time, the chook is getting and bit anti the whole process, and struggles to get out of the water, and it is probably then time to stop. By then, our chook is normally "cured". It works by lowering their temperature, but from what I can glean on here, it doesn't necessarily work if the chicken is in full broody mode, it works better if you are nipping the broodiness in the bud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendalgar Posted July 5, 2010 Author Share Posted July 5, 2010 Goodness, REALLY? Cold water and literally dunk her in it! I think maybe if it happens again I will use that technique, not sure if she is "fully broody" and if it is too late to nip it in the bud so to speak. I "think" I like that idea better thant he cage technique, I have tried locking her out of the eglu/run but as soon as it is opened she literally charges back onto the nest. The other 2 look so very confused when its time for them to lay and she just will NOT budge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 I wasn't sure till I tried it! One memorable weekend, I was dunking one in cold water for broodiness, and the other chook in hottish water as she was struggling with a softee... OH thought I was mad - but it worked for them both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
