cluckbok Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Hi everyone, We have two seperate flocks, 3 in each. One flock consists of all hybrids and the other all silkies. (all silkies in together, all hybrids in together) we have one broody silkie and one broody hybrid. Up until recently "Pootle " our silkie was laying but she's now broody, though we did get an odd shaped egg last week and yesterday was normal egg?? can they still lay when broody?? (know for definiate she was laying) I boot her out of the nestbox wearing gloves!!! as she goes to peck at us!! once she cannot get back in she eats and drinks etc but the minute I open the door i.e in the evening to come in, she charges up the ramp!! The hybrid "Willow" is the same she was laying and she hasn't done so for the last few days but she sits on the others eggs, the others still seem to be able to lay their eggs despite her being broody. She sits there fluffing herself up and making purr purr noises, I can boot her off the nest once the others have laid without being pecked, she's not as broody as the silkie. I have also noticed that they are bald underneath near their breast bones, is this normal??? Not sure whether to:- 1. Carry on booting them out of nestbox? 2. give them a nice cold dunking? 3. ice pack ? 4. Tried the football and it didn't work!!! she pushed it out!! Sorry for such an essay but this our first experience in 3 yrs of broody hens so I suppose we have been lucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateCooke Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I have 4 bantams and have recently experienced brooding fro first time. Sandy starting brooding and i tried kicking her out of nest, putting a plant pot in the nest to stop her getting comfy, also tried putting in cold water but none of these worked. But then at week 2 of brooding another one also starting brooding, so i built an anti brooding cage, an old rabbit hutch with wire on the bottom so she could not get comfy. I put my newest brooder in it for 3 full days with out letting her out, when she came out she laid that day and has been fine since. I then put Sandy my first brooder in teh cage and she too came out after 3 days, not nesting and laying. I have it on standby now. Hope that helps Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Sorry for such an essay but this our first experience in 3 yrs of broody hens so I suppose we have been lucky with silkies?! Yes very lucky The wire bottomed cage as described is your best bet from what I can gather. Put food and water in and leave them for 2/3 days. I have been too soft in the past but will be strong next time! I once had 3 broody together in one nesting box, they do tend to set each other off and can be like it for weeks. As a rule they don't lay when broody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
