Eglu cube or go up with 2m run

[muzzboy]

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.

[Egluntyne]

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

[Space Chick]

I agree, a broody cage is the way to go

[soapdragon]

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

[Egluntyne]

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.

[chuckmum6]

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.

[muzzboy]

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.

[Space Chick]

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 )

[muzzboy]

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.

[Egluntyne]

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.

[muzzboy]

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

[chuckmum6]

It may take up to three days or so, don't weaken!

[beach chick]

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!!

[Space Chick]

I have a brahma bantam on Day 4 in the broody cage, I'm hoping she gives up tonight

[muzzboy]

Is it only 1 broody hen per cage as I now have 2

[Space Chick]

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 )

[muzzboy]

Cwtch

[Sam]

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

[muzzboy]

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

[Sam]

Thanks for clearing that up, I thought I had hurt her

 

Soon as shes been wormed, she is going into that broody cage

[beach chick]

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.

[Alis girls]

Would an out of use rabbit hutch do? food and water provided or a pet carrier?

[Alis girls]

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

[beach chick]

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!!

[Old Speckled Hen]

I wish one of mine would go broody....then we could have chicks