Donna C Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 Hi all, my buff Orpington seemed to be in nest for hours.went to check on her and she was happily sat on two eggs(she lives with another orp).removed the eggs and her from nest,shut peep hole.as soon as I re-opened door she was back in onto nest.I removed her again and closed hole again. My question is how long will she go on like this and am I dealing with it correctly? Many thanks Donna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixie chick Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 My Orp has had two spells of broodiness in the last couple of months. I find if I break the broodiness early enough, she gets back to normal after about 3-4 days. If you dont break it she could be like it for weeks. I put her in the dog cage - raised upon bricks so that she cools off underneath - with food and water..... I feel really mean doing it but it works. In the afternoon, once all the others have laid - I might lock the hen house and let her out for a wander. The key is not to let her just sit there comfortably - keep distracting her. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 When my hen was broody I found she stayed off the nest when I left the nestbox door off. She still stayed broody and hormonal for 3 weeks though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 Orpington's are well known for being broody, but do make great Mum's. If hatching isn't in your plans at the moment, you do need to break her of the feelings quickly, or you wont have any eggs for ages. As others have said, don't let her get comfortable and try to keep her out of the nest. A broody cage, as described by Dixie Chick, works best. My Buff Orp went broody on Friday (feelings brought on by the arrival of new chicks hatched by one of my two Pekin's I suspect). She's been kept away from the Eglu's all weekend and was showing signs of giving up by late afternoon today. Other signs of broodyness are constant grunting sounds, raised feathers (with bottom in the air when you come near), looking all puffy and general stomping around when she can't get to the nest box! Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna C Posted May 2, 2011 Author Share Posted May 2, 2011 well i opened the eglu door about an hour ago, fresh water, food talking etc and neither has come out so now they are both broody do i kick them out and close door or do i put them both in a cage ???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixie chick Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Put them both in a cage asap! At least they wont be lonely! You just need to get some cool fresh air on to their breast area - hence the propping up of the cage on bricks. When you pick them up you will be able to feel how hot they feel underneath. They cant help it .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna C Posted May 2, 2011 Author Share Posted May 2, 2011 But i have only have two orpingtons Am i better to shut house door and keep them in 6x9 wir with distractions and it's in shade?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MummyHen Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 I'd get the broody cage out - see this link http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=76650&start=15 My two lemon cuckoo orpington went broody recently and 48hours in the brood cage has sorted them out. For the moment - I'm sure they'll be broody again in a few weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixie chick Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 If you don't have a suitable cage, Donna - I would just prevent them from getting in the coop and lock them in the run - but they will probably find a cosy corner and start sitting there for hours - and even on bare ground they will retain their hot undercarriage! If you keep Orps then I feel that the purchase of some sort of cage that you can raise above the ground is well worth the outlay. You will use it pretty often! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna C Posted May 2, 2011 Author Share Posted May 2, 2011 I do have a cage and a cat carrier but can't see difference in putting them in this or keeping them away from nest but in wir with distractions. Surely if I put them in a cage they will just sit down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixie chick Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 They sit down in the cage but cannot make contact with the ground -( you must raise the cage off the ground with bricks) - so they have air circulating under their hot undersides - which should cool them down a bit and this snaps them out of their broodiness. Also - they cant get comfortable and snuggle down .... I suspended a pole across the cage and she just roosted on it whilst in the cage. Then I would let her out for a while but if she started to snuggle down anywhere, I put her back in the cage. It WAS a pain for a couple of days but broke the broodiness quickly! Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna C Posted May 3, 2011 Author Share Posted May 3, 2011 Thanks, that explains it acn i put them both in same cage for company? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MummyHen Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Its best to keep them separate - the idea of the broody cage is to reduce their body temperature; raise the cage off the floor with some bricks so air circulates; don't put two girls together as they will snuggle up to keep their body temp up which is not what you want. They will not be happy about being put into the cage and may be very vocal but be strong it for their own good. The other option is to dunk them in cold water - which in my opinion is worse than a couple of days in the broody cage. Let us know how you get on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixie chick Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I have heard of hens dying of shock after being dunked in cold water so I wouldn't recommend it! If only you could get them to sit on a cool pack......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Well you can But in my experience, a LF orpington will eagerly take the frozen block under her and brood it until its totally defrosted Really, the broody cage is the best option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovemarmite Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I have heard of hens dying of shock after being dunked in cold water so I wouldn't recommend it! If only you could get them to sit on a cool pack......... i have been trying this before reading your comment... i had given up as it just made her wet and my hands cold and still left her broody.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ's Chooks Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Oh one of mine has gone broody for the first time in 18 months of having orps... im sure its going to be contagious!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
