BuryFCA1 Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 We have had our 4 girls for 3 months and today Patricia has spent all day in the nesting box. She wont come out to feed or socialise. How do we deal with her without upsetting her? Obviously we want the eggs and the other girls want to go into the nesting box too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 Hiya When our girls (notably the sadly missed Pumpkin) went broody we were advised by a breeder friend to dunk her, bottom first into a bucket of cold water... apparently when broody their body temp goes up so this cools them down nice and quickly! It certainly worked, Pumpkin didn't particular mind the impromptu bath but wasn't too impressed all the same Alternatively, you could use a broody cage - a dog travelling cage raised up on bricks can work well, similar idea in that it allows cool air to circulate under the broody lady so it cools her down and she comes out of broodiness (not tried that one... yet...).. best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 How long did you hold her in the water for? she says in desperation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 This is interesting for me too as I just set my broody free yesterday morning after the necessary 3 days and 3 nights. She was around before we set off to get the chicks and the noise of the chicks seemed to keep her occupied today - but then not really, she was up that ladder faster than that. So my question is - does she stay in the broody crate for another 3 days and nights ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 Plum - she was dunked till thoroughly soaked bum and tum, twice a day! She decided broodiness wasn't worth the baths after about 2 days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 I have my first broody too and will try that method cluckingmad if the cage doesn't do the trick . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 I've never had any luck with the cold water method, and I'm not keen on it anyway... chickens having weak hearts and all I put mine in the broody cage for 3 days, 24/7; works every time. Although I have one pekin who is consistently broody through every summer despite every tactic in the book; pekins are such a pain for broodiness, but great mothers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 Grrr broodies! I have been running a battle with them since early March, my coop of shame is in pretty much permanent use. I cure two and another three go broody! I do have one sitting at them moment on 6 eggs. All of my Pekins, Wyandottes and one Susex have been broody several times, Daisy has been six times! It is a pain as I have to rearrange the cube train to isolate and cool them, oh well only a couple more months and they will stop laying for winter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 Having silkies I inevitably have a broody at any one time but they are not particularly aggressive and quite happily let the others into lay - probably so they can promptly pinch the eggs! I wouldn't dunk them, once tried the cage with no success so now leave them to it but turf them out several times a day. Even hubby joins in and puts them out. Cilla has just finished after three weeks but hasn't lost any condition, sad I know but I weighed her just to check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuryFCA1 Posted June 7, 2012 Author Share Posted June 7, 2012 Thanks for your ideas everybody but can someone explain how a broody cage should be done? I will try this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Thanks for your ideas everybody but can someone explain how a broody cage should be done? I will try this. See the link in my post above ^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharLeila Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Hi all, Florence my Buff Orp goes broody every summer and I just leave her to it. Like mollyripkim said, I just take her out a few times a day for food and water. The way I see it is that it's a natural process so I just let them be! She snaps out of it after a couple of weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
