LolaLayla Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Well I had been warned it would happen I am sure Trixie one of my new Silkies has gone broody She spent ages in the nest box squawking and when I lifted her out she shot back round and in the run to get back in. I then closed off the eglu and she proceeded to sit down at the door and it was difficult to get her to go in for the night when I eventually opened the door. I have read the various methods used to stop this and was thinking I should get a broody cage. If I get a dog crate which size should I get for a large fowl Silkie? Also should she stay in there day and night or should I put her back in the eglu overnight? Any advice appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Just a small sized dog crate will do. I prop mine up on a couple of bricks to keep the air circulating around. Leave her in there for three days and nights... I know it seems cruel and she'll be ever so grumpy, but so long as she has food and water in there, she'll be fine! My naughty silkies sometimes take longer than that- last week Mrs. Bishop had completed her 3 day sentence but was still desperate to get back on the nest, so I had to give her another couple of days Best of luck with Trixie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 Thanks I will have a look on ebay or see if OH could make something about that size. I will probably move her (in the cage) to the garage at night as the cage won't give her the same protection that the eglu does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Good luck, l/l I hate doing this to broodies but you just have to . The earlier you do it, the sooner you'll crack it. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I think I got my cage from here- it's a similar size anyway and they've got a good deal on at the moment http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=773&pf_id=8461 Just remember to take the tray out as she'll need to be directly on the wire base to keep the cool air circulating around. I always put the tray on the top as the broody cage is in the WIR. The other girls like to sit on top and poo on the prisoner Sorry- can't do the clickable linky thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Here's a photo of my broody cage (bought on Ebay for about £20). Be careful how you attach feed/water, I found they knocked it off unless it was well attached . I leave them in for 3 days/nights and put it in the shed at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 Thanks for all the advice. I don't want to shut her in a cage but I know it is for the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 It'll be better for her in the long run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted February 25, 2012 Author Share Posted February 25, 2012 I have ordered one, but it looks like I have a different bird this morning She shot out the eglu with Estelle and is now in the garden. She did spend all afternoon in the nest box yesterday squawking but do you think the fact I shut her out and she had to sit on the cold earth in the run for a couple of hours in the evening has changed her mind I will just have to see how things go. The crate will not go amiss any way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I thought Jess was broody recently, she kept sitting in the nestbox. I chucked her out as often as I could and she's stopped now. Sometimes if you get to them soon enough, it works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 LoloLayla, at least you'll be fully prepared for when she next becomes broody, which I'm sure she will! I thought Jess was broody recently, she kept sitting in the nestbox. I chucked her out as often as I could and she's stopped now. Sometimes if you get to them soon enough, it works! I managed to snap Rita out of it last time by using that method- I was so surprised that it worked as she's normally very persistent once the broodiness has started- it was a battle of wills! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted February 25, 2012 Author Share Posted February 25, 2012 Good to hear that ANH and Groovychook:) I am all new to the broodiness aspect of hen keeping so just wasn't sure what was going on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I hadn't had any experience of broody girls either until I got my Silkies last spring... It's been the land of broodiness ever since They are worth it though... funny characters and great little layers the rest of the time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Notes being taken...!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted February 25, 2012 Author Share Posted February 25, 2012 A small price to pay for such loveliness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted February 27, 2012 Author Share Posted February 27, 2012 Trixie is definitely broody. I have shut her out the nest box and after trying to get back in she is just sitting in the run and has not left it at all yet. Thank goodness I have ordered the crate. I was a bit worried as to moving it in at night and out in the morning as my back/leg is playing up. However I had a brainwave, I am going to set it up in the rabbits WIR which is (well it has been up until now) fox proof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Have a look at this which I put together a couple of years back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Sorry to hear that you're suffering with your back Good idea to put her in the rabbits WIR... I'm sure that the 3 days and nights will do the trick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted February 27, 2012 Author Share Posted February 27, 2012 Have a look at this which I put together a couple of years back. Thanks for that link I have a rabbit bottle but don't have a coop cup. I am sure I will find something around that will do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 You can always trim the bottom off a plastic milk 'bottle' and attach it with cable ties - I was brought up on Blue Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted February 27, 2012 Author Share Posted February 27, 2012 Good idea. I loved Blue Peter too....I would have given my right arm for some sticky backed plastic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 just don't run with scissors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 And remember to save those empty Fairy bottles . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Does anyone else remember making a replica of the post office tower out of Fairy bottles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted February 27, 2012 Author Share Posted February 27, 2012 No don't remember that one I was always trying to make things but my parents rationed things like sellotape etc. I really wanted the sticky backed plastic I always wanted to make an Advent wreath but again didn't have the materials......obviously a deprived child Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
