muzzboy Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Hi there seems to be a lot of broody hens topics go on at the momment is it the time of year for it and is it ok if you just take the eggs from underneath her or have you got to do something about it ta very much muzzboy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 It is OK to take the eggs from under her. If the eggs are not fertile/you don't want her to sit, it is in her best interests to break her out of it. Some advice here. Click Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 I agree, a broody cage is the way to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 I know, as a novice bantam keeper, that I'm probably being a bit dopey but why is it in the hen's best interest to 'snap her out' of being broody? Two of my three are (one for the second time in a couple of months) but they seem quite happy, are still coming out to eat and drink and, will potter round the garden when I hoof them out of the Eglu. They do sometimes head straight back in but by no means always (tho I have covered the nest box bit with a plastic container, they sit on the bars as can't shut the house totally until no.3 girl has laid!) We did'nt get the girls for eggs-they are a bonus-so the lack thereof doesn't worry us. Should we really try to break this broodiness? Inclination is to let them get it out of their system in their own time with just a helping hand in terms of covering the nest box and shutting them out when no 3 has laid (they either wander round the garden scratching or dustbathing or sit by the Eglu door by turns although they do swear at me and fluff up when I first pop them on the grass. ) As already mentioned, they are in good health, still eating and looking perky and bright eyed and still come running for their corn! Is there any welfare reason for needing to get them 'back to normal'? Any advice, comments etc welcome! (Although we don't have a broody cage so this is not an option!) Thanks Casserole Korma Kiev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 They lose condition and weight when broody, and because their body temperature rises, they become a magnet for redmite. As there is no point in their sitting, they may as well be snapped out of it, to prevent these situations occurring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 A broody will sit until her eggs hatch, she will be denying herself food, water, excersize and her place in the flock, all of this is detrimental to her well being. I personally think it is much better to break an unwanted broody as quickly as possible, it is a pain but kinder for the hen. I use a guinea pig run with no bottom on my pebble paths as my broody coop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzzboy Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 Thanks some useful tips got no broody cage but sure can make something to contain her on what looks like to be a uncomfortable and cold floor and I do remember space chick telling me it might look cruel but it is the best for the hen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Muzzboy, with your mix of hens its worth investing in one now Zoar's Ark sell cheap-ish folding parrot cages with slide out trays that are perfect as broody cages, I have one from there and think it was about £30. Good news is, when its not in use, it folds and is easy to store (although it doesn't tend to be folded much in the summer The broody you saw on Sunday has vacated the cage, and another hen has gone straight in ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzzboy Posted April 15, 2011 Author Share Posted April 15, 2011 Made my broody cage just gone and moved my hen in it she was quite aggressive and not happy at all clucking away at me hope I have done the right move and just one question is it ok for the other chickens to see her in her new home for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Yes, it is. In fact, it is better that they do ... then they won't forget her and it will be easier to reintroduce her when she has come to her senses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzzboy Posted April 15, 2011 Author Share Posted April 15, 2011 Yes, it is. In fact, it is better that they do ... then they won't forget her and it will be easier to reintroduce her when she has come to her senses. ok thanks she not happy still clucking away at me hope she forgive me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 It may take up to three days or so, don't weaken! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 she will need food and water in there.... sorry if I am stating the obvious, but when I first used a broody coop I thought you had to withhold food. luckily I did check it out on here, and discovered that food was required so she only 'starved' for about 3 hours!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 I have a brahma bantam on Day 4 in the broody cage, I'm hoping she gives up tonight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzzboy Posted April 16, 2011 Author Share Posted April 16, 2011 Is it only 1 broody hen per cage as I now have 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 Yep, or they will cwtch up together which will keep them broody snap one out, then once they are out stick the other one in (Note: for non Welsh folk cwtch is a clean word - kind of like a cuddle ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzzboy Posted April 17, 2011 Author Share Posted April 17, 2011 Cwtch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 Sorry to hijack, but when people say when you take them off theirs nests they will make a noise... is that the full on alert call squark? I Just took one of mine off her nest and she was making that really loud noise that they make when they see something scary. All the neighbours were looking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzzboy Posted April 17, 2011 Author Share Posted April 17, 2011 Sorry to hijack, but when people say when you take them off theirs nests they will make a noise... is that the full on alert call squark? I Just took one of mine off her nest and she was making that really loud noise that they make when they see something scary. All the neighbours were looking Yes that's the one and they go running up the garden telling everyone in the chicken world what you have just done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 Thanks for clearing that up, I thought I had hurt her Soon as shes been wormed, she is going into that broody cage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 oh well, time for me to get the sin bin back into use - Lavender the auracana is def on the way to broodiness... sigh. need to find some bricks to raise it up a bit, and get a shade cover in place... bigger sigh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Would an out of use rabbit hutch do? food and water provided or a pet carrier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Another question the hen in the broody cage had a rabbit water bottle - silly question can a hen drink from this as they have a beak - told you it was silly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 yes they can drink from bunny bottles, no problem! I 'think' the idea is that you need to get air underneath the bird, which is why many people use puppy crates. I've used a rabbit ark with wire on the bottom before and that was fine. not sure if something with a solid bottom would work - but someone will be along with the answer!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 I wish one of mine would go broody....then we could have chicks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
