hunkydoory Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 I know this is a regular topic - but not having had broody hens before I haven't paid too much attention 2 of my 6 pekins are broody. They live in an eglu classic, so nest space is very tight I understand that once they are defintely broody the best thing is to take them out. Is a cardboard box in the cool garage ok? Can 2 share a large box? How long do you leave them - and so many other questions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 My two Pekins go broody at the slightest inclination. Generally, they will lay 6-9 eggs over a 10-12 day period, then go broody. They certainly spend more time broody than productive! That was certainly the pattern last year anyway. As I didn't want to hatch last year it was a case of spotting the day they turned (usually to be found 'pancaked' on the bars of the Eglu) and remove them to the 'broody cage'. You need to gets lots of cool air around their underside as soon as possible. As Pekins are very small birds, I use a freezer basket, which is up on two bricks to get it in the air. I put a clear plastic lid on top to keep the broody in and the other chooks out. And there the broody stays for 3 or 4 days (I keep the cage in the WIR so everyone stays in sight of each other - makes re-introductions easy). She will sit still and flattered on the cage floor for almost all that time. Make sure plenty of air can circulate under her at all time. Then once the broody feeling wears off, she will get up and try to stomp around the limited space in the cage. At that point you can remove her and egg production will recommence about 10-12 days later. Don't be tempted to remove her from the cage until she's up-and-about. She must stay in the cage all the time, day and night. She just needs food and water while confined. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunkydoory Posted April 24, 2011 Author Share Posted April 24, 2011 Many thanks, I did spot the lilac one and I have tried sitting her on a clutch of ice cubes, but it didn't work. Now one of the white ones has joined her. But I know I'm to late with her as she turned broody last week whilst I was away on holiday. The white one will not let the others on the nest now, she really is quite aggressive I just hope no more of them 'turn', I'll need a row of broody boxes then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 You're not too late, just take her out, put her in a cage with cage cups of food & water so she can't sit on them to hatch them out....yes they are that daft & determined & leave her, as Andrew has said, with plenty of ventilation round her nether regions I have 3 pekins all grunting at the world from a large dog cage in our back porch where it's cool, I've put eglu roosting bars in the bottom of the cage so they can't get too warm & snuggly .....and a fourth who's sitting on a clutch of eggs....and a fifth who has a pair of 3 week old chicks............we've obviously got the broody bug here You could always dunk the little darlings in cold water, though I've never tried that remedy............ Good luck! Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
