Unsecure chicken perches

[holz]

Hiya,

 

I have a quick question....I did look in the FAQs and can't find anything there, but sorry if this has already been asked & answered!

 

We have a broody chicken....we've been chucking her off the nest for a couple of weeks, and ensuring she has been eating/drinking/ dustbathing, but the past couple of days she has all but stopped eating (just a few bites) so we decided to try the ice cubes in the nest box. (we actually put a bag of frozen spinach in there as didn't have any ice....). I just wanted to check whether the chickens can get frost bite from this?? We have buried the bag under teh straw, but there's obviously the risk she'll scratch around and move it. We had planned to leave it there overnight under the straw in an attempt to bring her temperature down (as not keen on the water dunking idea) but obviously don't want to hurt her!!

 

Thanks for any help!

[holz]

Any help would be soo appreciated... I might just take it out until I hear it's okay to leave it in there

[figarogir1]

I'm not sure about the frost bite although I know people have put ice under their broody hens How about if you wrap the spinach in a tea towel or towel to protect the chickens a bit - that works on children for ice packs it should still let the cold through. I have one girl who is broody a lot and I have tried the dunking in water which she actually didnt mind too much but it didnt work for her. The only thing that works for her is the broody cage - an old dog crate up on bricks to let the air circulate underneath her. If she is in there for three days and nights then she snaps out of it pretty quickly. Good luck with your girl and hopefully someone who knows about the ice will be along soon

[holz]

Thank you!

 

I think the tea towel is a good idea - I'll give that a go tomorrow....failing that it'll be a broody cage, I feel cruel, but I guess you have to be cruel to be kind, she is fading away, I even dangled worms and scrambled egg in front of her today and she wasn't interested!

[figarogir1]

I hate putting mine in there and feel so sorry for her while she is there - especially as my other girls go and stand by her and I am sure they look around for a way to get her out but it is the only thing that works for her I tried shutting her out of the nest box as soon as I realised this time and she just kept bashing herself into the door of the cube to try and get in there! Hope you manage to sort yours out. You just have to remember that it is for her own good

[holz]

Oh bless them...I'd have to try hard not to cave in, must remember it's for her own good.

 

I think I'll have to look into getting/fashioning a broody cage then...it'll be 21 days broody on Tuesday, so if the ice doesn't work it'll be the cage for her.

 

Do you leave yours in there all day and all night, or put her back in with the others over night? I'm worried she'll be terified on her own all night! (I know I'm so soft!)

[figarogir1]

It has to be 3 days and nights I'm afraid. My cage doesnt fit into my cube run and my WIR isnt coming til next month so every night I lift the whole lot into the shed to keep her safe from the fox! She seems fine once she gets used to being in the cage and it is dark in my shed so she just goes to sleep. I think I am probably more traumatised by the whole process than she is Once I have my WIR she will be able to stay in the crate in there so she will probably never go broody again! Hope yours works out OK, if the ice doesnt work you will have to do something or she will make herself really ill. You just have to be strong and determined!

[holz]

Thanks so much for your advice! I know I just have to toughen up a bit.

 

I've been out to the garage and found out old wire pet carrier, so I think she will be in that as of the morning! I'm wondering whether I could keep her in there during the day (on bricks) and then put her in the cube at night, but shut off the nest box so she has to perch with the others - what do you think?

 

We have a WIR, but I'd still be concerned about foxes during the night, and wouldn't want her to be scared as I hear shock can kill them too.

 

I just want to do whatever is best for the poor little lass!

[figarogir1]

I felt the same way about the nights but was advised that if I let her back in the cube with the others she would huddle up to them and bring her body temperature back up - undoing all the good done during the day which does make sense. Would you be able to put the cage in the garage over night? That way she would be safe from the fox. It is horrible seeing them alone but it really does work!

[holz]

Oh no! I just feel like such a horrible chicken mummy, but I know it's for her own good, I really do.

 

We do have a garage... perhaps I'll put her in the wheelbarrow on her bricks over night, that way she won't just be on the dirty floor.

 

She just looks so poorly, her comb is pale and she is so skinny. I think tomorrow is time for the broody cage, some meal worms and some scrambled eggs.

 

I just hope it works, I don't know what I'll do if it doesn't. Who knew chickens could be so challenging, I just want to do the best for them

[figarogir1]

I know they are more of a worry than the kids! Be strong and she will soon be back to normal Make sure she has some water and grit and food in there with her and she will gradually start eating again.

[holz]

Thanks, I'm so nervous!

 

I really appreciate your help - I'll let you know how we get on

[figarogir1]

Good luck - you'll be fine, glad I could help let me know if you need anything else