Unsecure chicken perches

[tdf010604]

My 1st broody has been so for about 3 weeks now. I have been removing the eggs immediately and taking her out of the nest box everyday to make sure she eats and gets some exercise, but the first chance she gets, she is back inside again. I can't close the nest box off as my others lay at odd times.

I am happy to kind of let her get it out of her system but how long is this likely to last? By removing the eggs am I playing a game of broody Snakes & Ladders and sending her back to the start of her broody cycle every day!?

Any advice would be appreciated...... thanks

[sjp]

I've had one go 6 weeks before she gave up but it really depends on the bird I've got one that will hols out untill she gets eggs the with in a couple of days will decide that she dosen't like sitting on egg and give up then with in a week will go broody again

[mollyripkim]

I also have a girly, Cilla, who is a very persistent broody, she went broody just before Christmas and has only just gone back to normal. I just make sure I lift her off several times a day, she happily has a drink and food then straight back to the nest box.

[mimi5]

You could try an anti-broody coop. I now have one as my pekins drove me mad with broodiness and I even let them hatch!!!

 

It's just a rectangular wire plastic coated cat type carrier (ebay) I use 2 clip on galley cups (food and water)in the run raised up on bricks (to allow cooler air under her) and put the broody in for 3days and nights (as long as the run is predator safe!!!!) Should break the cycle and not affect the pecking order as she remains in sight. But only had to use it in the warmer months though.....bit chilly now!! I work and so it was impossible to keep booting them off the nest and Molly wouldn't let anyone else use the nest box (cube) whilst broody!!!

[charly1979]

My Prilly is still broody (been about 2 weeks or so) but I have now sectioned their run off given her access to an old house but blocked the nestbox off. so far fingers crossed she hasnt even attempeted to nest in the house, my mums only just told me all she needs is shelter so doesnt need access to the house. At night she will go back with in the cube with her sisters. hoping it wont take long to break her cycle (currently she is NOT amused)

 

If it doesnt work I will go for mimi's plan there are plenty of wire dog cages on ebay (some good prices too) I wont be able to keep her in it overnight or if I did would it be ok to bring her in the house (Hubby will go ape if thats the case)

[christyrose12]

I didnt realise they go broody so early in the year!! I thought they went broody in the spring and summer.

[Hayleybug]

Aargh clementine has gone broody! Only been laying since the end of december! Its really hard to get her off the nest & because I work full time its very hard to keep an eye on her! Add to that we are off to wales for the weekend she'll be a nightmare on Sunday when I try to retrieve 2 days eggs!!

[charly1979]

It took me 10 days of seperating Prilly but she is no longer broody but I have to add I think she is my thickest girl !! One night I was late to put her to bed with the others I couldn't find her and to my surprise she was in the nest box, somehow she had got back ?? Yet in the daytime she would stay in the pen that seperated her making a right fuss ! I even used to see her on top of the old house a few flaps of her wings and she could have got back in ! Glad to have her non broody although no eggs yet

[tdf010604]

Thank you all for your replies, it has been around 6 weeks now and she is showing no signs of stopping

I did rather hope that she would just snap out of it, but looks like I will have to step in and "broody bust" I am missing her eggs toooo much!!!

 

I am going to try to find a wire cage and get it propped up this weekend, can anyone advise how long I should keep her in there?

 

Wish me luck.......................!

[mimi5]

Hi there. 3 days & nights is what's recommended!!! I think it's also recommended to feed wheat only....but I can't remember why I use the clip on galley pots for water and food! Best of luck........I did this regularly last year with my Molly and the minute I let her out.......she went straight to the nest box!!!! That's why I let her hatch in the end!

 

Oh dear I'm sure I'll be breaking out the anti-broody coop soon too!!

[Hayleybug]

Clementine is still at it, growling and pecking and producing elephant poos when booted off the nest. I have a quick question, she is quite a dominant top chook at the best of times, I was thinking of nipping home tomorrow lunchtime and kicking her out of the eglu for the rest of the day. I'm just worried she will take her frustration out on the others while im not around. Her face has paled, maybe I should go for the broody cage setup but its forecast very cold nights this week. What does everyone think?

[charly1979]

Do you have anyway to split your run ?? I was able to sepearte Prilly (on my mums advice) gave her access to her own food a water and she had a shelter under an old house. Then each night I popped her to bed with her sisters, it took about 10 days to 'sort' her out just waiting for her to lay again now.

 

I was anxious the first few days and of course Prilly was not amused in the slightest, esp when the other 6 had a break out so were FR

[Hayleybug]

Unfortunately the run is a bit too small to divide without a major rethink. I think maybe the same effect could be had by using the broody cage and then putting her back in the eglu at night? Hmm. Might have to look on ebay for a cage...

[charly1979]

They had some good dog cages (foldable too ) I was going to get one of those as a last resort

[Hayleybug]

Bit of a tiring day today, got the cage set up and had to put clementine in as she was getting a bit aggressive with the others. She freaked out of course, trying to get out (a more contained version of what she does if I shut the eglu door). But now it seems that peggy-sue is showing signs of becoming broody too! Jeesh!

I let them all fr for half an hour before bed as I wanted to put them all back to bed together as it is due to drop below zero tonight. Clementine then decided she needed to reassert her top chook status so ran around bullying the others til bedtime when she promptly pancaked back onto the nest.

Aargh! Am I being too soft? Am I making it worse by letting her bak into the eglu? And what on earth do I do if 2 out of 3 go broody at once??

[tdf010604]

Well it's been 8 weeks and I think we could be coming out the other side

The last 2 mornings my broody has been waiting to be let out with the others and had made no return to the nestbox all day.

Here's hoping that's the end of this fluffy, clucky nonsense and normal service will be resumed...............

[cluckynikki]

Haven't posted on here for ages as I have been henless for nearly two years now, but I always log on regularly to read how everyone is getting on, have a laugh and a smile, and to look at everyone's photos.

I am currently looking after neighbour's hens while they are away (could be dangerous and induce an attack of morehenitis) and have been warned about the broody. Today I removed 3 eggs from under her - they were very hot. It made me wonder whether they might have started cooking! Are they safe to eat if they have spent more than a few hours underneath a broody?