3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[Padbury Chickens]

Hi

 

This has probably been asked loads before but I am new to the board and fairly new to hen keeping. A few days ago one of my hens decided to stay in the nest box on her egg as well as some of the other eggs. I have only seen her leave it once 3 days ago for a drink and am worried that she may dehydrate in this hot weather and also should I be trying to get her off so I can collect the eggs??? She ruffles her feathers whenever I open the door of the eggport so I am tentative about approaching her, what do you all suggest?

 

Many thanks

Donna

[Lewis]

Welcome to the forum

 

Sounds like you've got a broody!

 

Take her off the nest and remove the eggs, put her in the run so that she gets air through her knickers + cools down. You might need to use a broody cage (dog crate) to keep her away from the nest + snap her out of it.

 

Good luck

[Roobaloo]

She's gone broody! She's preparing herself to hatch eggs (which won't happen unless you have a cockerel with her!)

 

It's best to break the cycle early so be firm, get some gardening gloves and get her off the nest and put something in the nest to stop her returning (e.g. a brick!) Remove the brick when your other girls are likely to lay then put it back.

 

A broody hen is unlikely to be laying but equally it's important to remove any eggs as this will encourage her to sit!!

 

There are many other techniques for dealing with a broody, such as putting her in a dog crate that's propped up on bricks (it allows air flow under her to cool her body temp down) or to dip in water (also to cool her temp down)

 

In this heat, it is important to make sure she's drinking so be firm and make her get off the nest. Once she's off, she'll eat and drink...some broodies do become obsessive with the task so it is vital not to leave her to it!!

[Egluntyne]

Advice re dealing with broody hens **here**