liz.dudley Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 So Snowy has been laying for the last month or so about five eggs a week. Last weekend she stopped laying and has spent most of her time sitting in the eglu in the nest area. Pretty sure from my books that I've got a broody on my hands now! Problem being only having a there's only the one next box so if the other two wanted to lay they wouldn't have the chance at the moment! Now how can I persuade her to stop being broody? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 Have you heard of a broody crate. I've got an indoor rabbit cage. You put the chicken in it with water and food, take out the tray at the bottom, and prop it up on some bricks. This will bring down her body temperature, she will have to stay in there all day and night, for at least 2 nights. You can then put her back with the others. I have never actually used mine. I find that the others still lay. They squeeze in next to her. She will pinch their eggs and lay on them, you then have the lovely job of taking the eggs from under her. She won't be happy. If you choose the second option take her off the nest a few times a day to make sure she's eating and drinking. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liz.dudley Posted March 6, 2015 Author Share Posted March 6, 2015 The one book I have suggests putting ice packs in the nest box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 I find 3 days & nights in a broody cage (I use one of those wire cat baskets propped up on bricks inside the cube run) usually does the trick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 I've only had todo it once but 3 days in the broody cage worked on Penny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 I have a broody currently in my Go up, the dropping tray is removed so she has plenty of cool air around her bum! She is most put out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liz.dudley Posted March 6, 2015 Author Share Posted March 6, 2015 Should I close off the nest box? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 Not if the others are laying. She will probably just find herself somewhere else to get cozy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 I used a small rabbit run when I was over run with grumpy broodies, homebargain sell one for under £30, well worth having spare accomadation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liz.dudley Posted March 7, 2015 Author Share Posted March 7, 2015 Well we've bought a small dog cage and put her in that, she's really not a happy chook! It's raised on wood. Will she be alright in it overnight? How will I know when she's ready to go back into the eglu? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted March 7, 2015 Share Posted March 7, 2015 She will be fine overnight. Is she in the Eglu run? I think give it a couple of nights then see what she does. If it doesn't work, she will need a bit longer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liz.dudley Posted March 7, 2015 Author Share Posted March 7, 2015 We've only got a classic so not a huge amount of space in the run, I can move her in there overnight though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted March 7, 2015 Share Posted March 7, 2015 Good idea. Just to keep her safe from foxes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liz.dudley Posted March 7, 2015 Author Share Posted March 7, 2015 Just looked, won't fit the cage through the drop of the run, so will move her into the greenhouse for the night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 I have pekins and it feels like their life mission is being broody So I invested in a wire cat carrier which goes in the cube run up on 2 bricks for most of the summer, with a rotating selection of broodies!! They have clip on cups for food & water and stay for at least 3 days and nights straight! Best in sight of the others Then if you let them out and they head straight for the nest box.....they need longer! Of course now I would actually like one to go broody for hatching.......no takers Typical totally contrary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liz.dudley Posted March 8, 2015 Author Share Posted March 8, 2015 Well she's survived her first night in the broody cage in the greenhouse! Put her back alongside the run this morning and she seems to have settled to it Hubby has said she needs to stay in there until Wednesday morning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liz.dudley Posted March 8, 2015 Author Share Posted March 8, 2015 How will I know when she's ready to go back into the eglu? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 I didnt notice any change in her while she was inside the cage so I just left her in it for the suggested three days. When I let her out she had a REALLY long dust bath and then was back to normal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liz.dudley Posted March 10, 2015 Author Share Posted March 10, 2015 Well she's surviving the cooler so far, felt a bit sorry for her yesterday with all that damp weather! One more night and I'll pop her back in the run tomorrow morning... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 I felt awful too but it's for the best in the long run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liz.dudley Posted March 10, 2015 Author Share Posted March 10, 2015 She seems much less aggressive now, will pop her back in the run in the morning as I won't be home until late tomorrow night and hubby won't deal with her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 So how's Snowy now?? Keep an eye out as she may go broody again. Some girls are just "hardwired" that way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liz.dudley Posted March 14, 2015 Author Share Posted March 14, 2015 She seems fine (fingers crossed!) now the big question is when will she start laying again? I was hoping for a fresh egg for my Mothering Sunday breakfast tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Mine were a good few days before laying again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liz.dudley Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 So we have an egg today!!!!! Over a week of no eggs and at last we have them again. Now just need the other two to come into lay now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
