Used Omlet outdoor rabbit run Width 2.2m Height 2.05m Length 3.1m vgc.

[squidsin]

I have three pekins. Two are broody, so not laying, and the other (Nugget) has a swollen up face and is on antibiotics (and solitary confinement in a rabbit hutch) so we can't eat the eggs. In fact she has cost me a FORTUNE already in vet's bills and I will probably have to take her again as although she seems happy and perky, her face is really swollen on the left hand side, between her eye and beak. The vet said it was her sinuses but she's been on antibiotics for a month now, the swelling has only gone down a little, and I am starting to despair a bit. I don't think it's fair for her keeping her on her own for so long - not that the other two want to hang out with her, as they refuse to leave the Eglu. Poor Nugget has been forced to bond with the cat!

 

And how do I stop the other two nutters being broody? I've tried shutting them out of the Eglu, and regular dunkings in cold water, but to no avail. Goujon has been broody for SIX WEEKS and her comb has gone pale! Will she ever stop - is it possible to have a permanently broody chicken? HELP!

[Space Chick]

I would recommend a broody cage to sort out your broodies, as they can lose condition. Some breeds are more prone to broodiness than others. I have a Brahma bantam, silkie and wyandotte that tend to play "broody tag".

[squidsin]

Is there a sticky about the broody cage thing? I am at work three days a week so it would need to be something I don't need to supervise!

 

I've shut them all out of the Eglu to forcible free range for now. Maybe they'll forget the silly broody idea!

 

Can I really not eat the eggs while Nugget is on antibiotics? What would happen if I do? Such a shame as I bet as soon as they go out of her system after a month, she will go broody and stop laying! She is my best hen, she lays every day.

[grageomat]

I think locking them out is the best thing to do and give them a hanging cabbage or something to give them something else to focus on!

i really dont think eating the eggs is a good idea, not sure what it would do to you but i just dont like the idea of consuming animal medication! yuk!

Though i do sympathise it must be horrible having all 3 hens out of action

[madchickenlady]

I wouldn't eat the eggs from a hen on antibiotics. They usually advise you not to. I have six pekins and two silkies. Someone is always broody! If it goes on for any length of time and the usual distractions don't work, I advise a quick dunk in a cold bucket of water. They won't like it (understatement!) but it can help. Then stick them in a broody cage for 48 hours. Usually works

[Plum]

Only had a half hearted broody so far so can't help.

 

If you eat the eggs then you'll be taking in antibiotic and if it's low dose and not therapeutic level you could end up with resistant bacteria in you and in the environment. And the chance that when you need antibiotics they won't work.