Eglu Cube Coop and Accessories

[Minnie&Moose]

I've just come home to find our cochin Magda snuggled up in the nest box. She looked very happy, and was making funny little chuntering noises to herself. She had two eggs tucked up underneath her (one was hers) and she was more spread out looking than normal - not flat but holding her wings differently to usual. She didn't object when I rummaged for the eggs or when I lifted her out, but she did seem a bit dazed and just stood for about a minute before taking herself off to join the others. I've not seen a broody hen before but could that be what's up with Magda?

[fluffy chick]

Sounds like it. Or she could be taking a long time to lay if she is still in there now and in the morning I would say yes she is broody.

[Minnie&Moose]

Just went to shut the hens up for the night and Magda's back in the nest box crooning to herself She normally sleeps in the cube doorway so I guess I have my answer - looks like she's broody. So, off to acquire a huge wire cat basket tomorrow to use as a broody cage. I guess it was only a matter of time given her breed. Any ideas as to how long it might take to change her mind?

[bouldercroft]

if she's still laying then I guess she's not totally broody yet? Seems mean to throw her in broody jail so soon - but I'm no expert....let's see what the 'perts say...

[fluffy chick]

If you're sure she is broody (you'll have to keep kicking her out the nest box even to eat) I'd put her straight in the cage. The sooner you do the sooner she'll crack. Somewhere between 2 and 3 days (and nights) usually does it. Make sure she has food and water obviously.

[Minnie&Moose]

Well, 2 days of keeping her out of the nest box and Magda appears to be getting the message. She's stopped trying to sit on empty bowls and small rocks in the hen pen, and is scratching around with her friends again. She does get a bit excited when the cube door is opened to let a queuing hen in to lay but she's no longer barging the others out of the way in her rush up the ladder. So, hopefully another couple of days of banning her from the cube during the day and give up on her dream of parenthood, at least for a couple of weeks or so! How long before she's likely to try this again?

[darkwoodali]

Well, 2 days of keeping her out of the nest box and Magda appears to be getting the message. She's stopped trying to sit on empty bowls and small rocks in the hen pen, and is scratching around with her friends again. She does get a bit excited when the cube door is opened to let a queuing hen in to lay but she's no longer barging the others out of the way in her rush up the ladder. So, hopefully another couple of days of banning her from the cube during the day and give up on her dream of parenthood, at least for a couple of weeks or so! How long before she's likely to try this again?

 

Good question, how often do hens get broody?

[fluffy chick]

Depends on the breed. Hybrids, as a rule don't go broody but some like my silkies and pekins are often broody. Even then it differs from chicken to chicken! I have one pekin that was broody for 3 weeks, got over that and within another 3 weeks she was broody again. They tend to lay a clutch of eggs then try and sit (even though we've eaten their eggs already )

[Minnie&Moose]

Finally Magda has seen the error of her ways, has decided motherhood is not for her, at least for a week or so, and has presented us with one of these today