MummyHen Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Both my Lemon Cuckoo Orpingtons have gone broody So I decided to take Omlet advice and convert my cat carriers into Broody cages. 24hrs down 48hrs to go. OH thinks I'm cruel and has a real problem with it but I have explained the pros and cons and we could get some hatching eggs But that went down like ..... Can someone more experienced than me let me know if I'm doing this OK as its the first time I've had to use a broody cage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Broody cage looks good My brahma bantam had 3 days and nights in the broody cage, came out and went straight back into the nest she's back in again for another stint. The ironic thing was when I gave her fertile eggs she didn't want to know (even though she was broody), it was if she could tell they were fertile and didn't want the responsibility Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MummyHen Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 oh no - please don't be broody after 3 days and nights I let them out for 5mins whilst I topped up the water and food, these evening and guess what... the both went straight back into the cubes nest box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JillM Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 I have a brahma bantam on Day 4 in the broody cage, I'm hoping she gives up tonight How do you know when they've stopped being broody? ...and how can you tell when they are getting broody? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 oh I'm relieved to see those pics! Lavender is in the sin bin, and making a big fuss about her feet on the bars - I felt like a battery farmer but she will just have to lump it til she snaps out of it! as for when they are going broody - increased time in the nest box, not letting the others in to lay, and they just kind of look flat, like fluffy pancakes. plus you will probably find feathers in the nest box, they pluck them out so their skin keeps the eggs warmer than just feathers. as for coming out of it - well I'm a wuss and often let them out too early. 48 hours seems to be most people's recommendation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MummyHen Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 48hrs gone and I think (don't want to speek too soon) they've broken. Let them stretch their wings whilst I topped up food and water. They ran off to eat, drink and have a dust bath - they looked totally disinterested in the nest box. And have gone to bed with the others - all roosting in the cube and no one in the nest box. Tomorrow we'll see what happens Fingers crossed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 well I caved in with Lavender - let her out after 24 hours. she went off and did all the chickeny stuff while I was watching - half an hour later, she was back in the nest box doing the pancake thing. I have hardened my heart, she's staying in there now til thurs morning at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzzboy Posted April 19, 2011 Author Share Posted April 19, 2011 well I caved in with Lavender - let her out after 24 hours. she went off and did all the chickeny stuff while I was watching - half an hour later, she was back in the nest box doing the pancake thing. I have hardened my heart, she's staying in there now til thurs morning at least. Tomorrow I think its 1 down looks like I have cracked her in the broody cage but have had another go broody on me and she not letting any others in to lay I am picking eggs up from around the garden even though there is a spare nest box available Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted April 20, 2011 Share Posted April 20, 2011 Well after a week of 2 softies or no eggs - Bathsheba laid a proper egg. Had done the cold water trick and extra calcium. She seems to have calmed down and so have i for now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted April 20, 2011 Share Posted April 20, 2011 little beast Lavender escaped when I was topping up her food this morning . she behaved like a chicken for a good while, but I think she's sneaked back in to the nest box now... I'm off to annoy her again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted April 20, 2011 Share Posted April 20, 2011 . I'm off to annoy her again this is my approach to my (almost always) broody pekin. Glad I'm not the only one going through it! My broody cage (well ok rabbit hutch) is currently occupied by my new girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
