SarahGlymond Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 I have a very broody chook. She has been in the nest box for 2 days now, yesterday I just kept removing her from the best box but she just kept going back. Today I have dunked her in cool water a couple of times to cool her off but that hasn't worked either . She has plucked all her feathers from her chest and I'm worried she isn't eating much (she will eat if I remove her from the nest box) Do I just let her ride it out and hopefully she will get bored that the eggs don't hatch do I keep dunking her or is there anything else I can do ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 There are lots of tips on here re broody crate but I just let them get on with it. I turf them out beside the food and water four or five times a day and remove any eggs. They do get very thin. I don't think I would put them in cold water. I did read about it cooling them but I also read somewhere it could shock them too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 if they sit on eggs even duds then 99% won't give up. if I've got a broody that I won't use then I just keep turfing her out of the nest box and remove any eggs as soon as possible I don't isolate nor dunk in water personally I think it's a cruel practice broodiness is a hormonal not a temperature triggered event I've got 2 broodies sitting on eggs and 2 wannabes most I've had at one time ones a first timer and about 6 years old to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 Another one here for just removing from the nest box several times a day, have six broodies at the moment, I have pekins. I have tried dog crates before with no success and don't believe in dunking either. For me it's just part of having broody breeds so I just make sure they come out to feed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippie Chick Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 I pretty much let mine get on with it as well. My Araucana is having her second broody spell this year it goes on for about 5 or 6 weeks each time. I turf her out of the nest box and as soon as I can I shut the coop door so she can't get back in. I have to watch out for the others in case they want to lay later in the day though. It's a bit of a bind having her broody for so long, but she's good tempered about being evicted every day and runs off into the garden to forage quite happily. I know some chickens turn into evil pecking machines when they're broody so I guess I got off lightly with her! She seems to eat enough and doesn't noticeably lose condition or weight and I don't have a broody cage set up as yet, although I may consider getting one later if she's going to be broody every couple of months. She refused to look up at me for the photo - I think she was hoping I'd go away if she didn't look! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Pop her in a broody crate for 3 days and 3 nights with food and water: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahGlymond Posted May 24, 2016 Author Share Posted May 24, 2016 Thanks guys I only dunked her a couple of times and it didn't work I don't have a broody cage as I have never needed one before this is my first time with a broody hen. I just keep turfing her out its didn't realise it could last that long I feel bad she is missing this lovely weather and free roaming round the garden I'm back at work in a week and they will be confined to their run so she will be in the nest all day then ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursula123 Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 You can use any kind of cage, doesn't have to be a specific chicken broody cage. Small dog/cat or bird cage and depending on size of your chicken I think even a hamster cage (sure someone on the forum uses one for bantams). As long as cool air can circulate. You can put the cage in your run up on a couple of bricks as shown by Lewis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 hamster cage (sure someone on the forum uses one for bantams) That'll be me Sometimes it works completely in 3 days and nights, other times they still are 'slightly' broody and i need to kick them out of the nest box a few times and at night, but only for a few days. It has a solid bottom (which is like a litter tray really) do I just use it upside down and on bricks as per Lewis' picture. Was less than £15 from Trago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 I always leave mine to it. I have used one to hatch a couple of times. Just keep an eye out for my arch enemy red mite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 the first time wanna be gave up yesterday but one of the other CLB crosses has gone broody that's five in a month trouble is I don't have much luck with mid season hatches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 I had problems with my silver Sussex when she was younger and lived in the Eglu, it was dark and comfortable in the nesting area, she has been fine since she moved to the larger wooden house, but that may just have been a coincidence as she got older anyway, but she still lays regularly. I just used to turf her out regularly until she got bored, it is a battle of wills though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...