iarfach Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Hi, This is the first time I've dealt with a broody so I'd be grateful of advice. I have two hybrids (my other hen died a few months ago). For about 4-5 weeks now, one of my hens has been sitting on the nest pretty much constantly and has plucked off the feathers from her underside. My only action to date has been throwing her off the nest and locking the eglu door most days, but this usually takes place lunchtime or later depending on work. However she keeps going back onto the nest as soon as eglu door opened. Initally I was finding my other hens egg under the broody and so was removing it. Over the last week, my other hens egg keeps being broken in the nest and half stuck to broody. Do I assume broody has moved on to breaking/eating the eggs. I had assumed that after a three week period the hen would 'come out the other side' of being broody - but that appears not to be the case. I'd be grateful of any advise from those more experienced than me. Thanks so much, iarfach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeloo Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 No, they don't always snap out of it on schedule. They can be very stubborn. One of mine went broody in late April and showed no signs of letting up by late June. I finally blocked off the nest box by flipping a wide bowl upside down in it. She also broke a few of the other hen's eggs. I think it was accidental as she rolled them over to the nest box area, but, once broken, they were eaten and I was worried about that becoming a habit. I don't know if blocking off the nest box earlier would have worked, but it did finally do the trick. After a couple of days, she decided she couldn't do it in any other spot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 My Brahma Lucie is broody on average once a month. I'm not fussed about the lack of eggs but she doesn't eat or drink much when she is broody and so I do try to stop it. I haven't had any success with dunking her in cold water to reduce her temperature, but if I put her in the broody cage for the requisite three days she always (touch wood sofar) get's over it.... There are instructions regarding a broody cage on the FAQ's. I hate using it as it seems cruel, and so I always leave it a bit too late and spend a few days locking the eglu and cube doors( making the other girls cross their legs if I forget to open it up again!) hoping that she will just snap out of it...I should know by now just to get the cage out as soon as she starts showing any signs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 The sooner you tackle it the better. The broken eggs may just have had soft shells, but all the more reason to discourage her from brooding; you don't want an egg eater on your hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iarfach Posted July 10, 2012 Author Share Posted July 10, 2012 Thank you guys. I've sourced a dog crate I will use which I can collect tomorrow, but having said that - came home from work today and M'lady was actually off the best and has remained off all evening - so there's hope. I'll see how she is tomorrow. I'll be posting next on tackling an egg eater if that's the case...... There was no egg there today - possibly as my other one didn't lay, but I'm suspicious.... What are they like!! Thanks so much xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
