3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[pumkinsmummy]

HI there. Dilys went broody back in May and we let her hatch. However, she looks like she is broody again. I read Mrs Frugals broody tips and I have dunked her quite a few times in a bucket of cold water, but to no avail. My other problem is the attitude of the others. Penny, a matriarch, attacks Dilys around the neck every time I get her of the nest. Penny is normally a lovely placid bird, so is this a hormone thing going on. I wondered if it s bit of a cycle and Dilys is hiding as well. Unfortunately I work during the day so cannot be referee or keep dunking her. If Dilys continues to go broody we may have to think of getting rid of her as it is upsetting all the other girls and they cannot get into lay, which I am sure is not good for them as they are not laying elsewhere. Any tips welcome and advise about the other gilrs and the best plan of action - thank you

[Daphne]

The best thing with a broody, if they won't snap out of it if you keep shutting them out of the house, is to put the bird in a broody cage - there will be lots of threads on this, so I'd have a search and see what you can find; I know sometimes people have posted pictures. Basically a wire cat/dog carrier on bricks so she can't get comfy and sit and has air circulating around her to cool her down. It should take 2 or 3 days.

 

PS are you called pumkinsmummy after that radio comedy with Ronnie Corbett in it

[The Dogmother]

I wouldn't bother with the dunking - it doesn't work and is cruel. I use a broody cage and have a great success rate with it.

[gongladosh]

yep, I prefer the cage also - if the broody clucks a lot (like mine), the other non-broodies will appreciate a bit of peace and quiet for a few days...

[pumkinsmummy]

Hi all and thank you for your responses. I have an old wooden hutch with run which I have now put her in, where she cannot access the nesting box - I am hoping that will work, otherwise hubby will have to build me a box this weekend. How often i she likely to go broody?

 

P.S No had not heard of a comedy show - just my nickname for my child is Pumpkin

[The Dogmother]

That's a piece of string question, the only answer for that is that they are not likely to go broody in the colder weather.

 

I have some which are almost constantly broody in the summer and seem which never brood.

 

I doubt that the rabbit hutch will work unless it has a wire floor; you will need lots of cool air around her to lower her temperature.