Cat tails Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 So I was getting fed up with plucking broody Merel from the nest. Some might have seen her broody highness in the other post. She will even brood when the others are laying, on my hands when I get her off the nest, in the middle of the garden where I pluck her down and on the wooden roosts in the run... So I have made a cage of shame out of a planter of Ikea, which I already bought. Have been looking at second hand benches and hamstercages (she is tiny remember) but nothing really matched my location or budget. This is the result: She is currently trying to escape, so added two bricks to the top. Even have the wooden flooring of the planter to go on the top tonight. Her broody highness isn't particularly happy right now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 That makes a fab broody cage and I don't think she will get warm and cosy nesting on the patio. It is hard to watch them in the broody cage isn't it ? Tilly just used to pace up and down all day and didn't stop until it was dark. I love the way the other chicken is having a good look. Mine all gather at the offending broody as if they are trying to keep her company Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 27, 2016 Author Share Posted August 27, 2016 Gah! Already gave in! Stuck her back with the rest, but mainly as we are expecting some thunder tonight. She going right back in tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 28, 2016 Author Share Posted August 28, 2016 Plucked her from the nest this morning after a hefty thunderstorm and she is now set in the shade and breeze. After some running around, trying to escape from the top and some complaining, she has now settled down. The other three are keeping her company, by hanging around her jail. Will let her out this afternoon for a bit, once the others have had their chance to lay their eggs and I can close the coop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 I bet she was glad to be safe with others if you had a bad thunderstorm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 28, 2016 Author Share Posted August 28, 2016 Well she was brooding and the others were hanging around the run... She is staying in her little jail tonight though! She is soooo broody that she actually flew over 3 meters to go from her jail to the top of the run. I thought: lets be nice and let her free range for a bit, with the coop closed. She wasn't having it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 Dont give in, if you give in you are right back at the beginning. I stick my Brahma in the broody cage (I have to have a big dog crate for her) at the first sign and after 3 days I can usually let her out. She is getting old now, she is 9, so last time I just let her brood but she lost so much weight I think the broody cage might actually be better for her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 30, 2016 Author Share Posted August 30, 2016 She still was hopelessly broody this morning. If no change tomorrow, I might give up... Little determined lady she is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 30, 2016 Author Share Posted August 30, 2016 Came home and at first she was looking less broody. Interested in food and had a rummage around the garden. But after a while she spotted the open coop and was back on the nest. Have stuck her back in her jail for tonight, but will put her back with the others tomorrow morning. She has been in her little cage for more than three days, and I feel it has been enough, even if she is still broody. Didn't get chickens to isolate them or keep them effective caged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 They certainly know how to make us feel guilty. I hope she snaps out of it soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 1, 2016 Author Share Posted September 1, 2016 She firmly back on the nest and dragged Leentje with her... It's like having two incredibly moody teens, with hormones racing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 Good bit of pimping there ! I always put my broody cage int he run with the rest of them, so they can still socialise and are under cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 9, 2016 Author Share Posted September 9, 2016 Either my run is too small or my cage is too big... Not really going to fit. Anyway... Both Merel and Leentje are now full on broody. Screaming, hissing little banshees!! I pluck them of the nest twice a day and make sure they eat and drink some. Not something they really do by them selves. Have had them on the nest at night with empty crops. Nutmeg was bullying Merel a bit, but I think she is thoroughly regretting her decision... Leentje has taken it on her to protect Merel and is now chasing Nutmeg all around the garden. Poor Nutmeg is missing some feathers here and there. Imagine a big pigeon being chased by a sparrow... That's roughly how it looks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 Try a pet carrier like this one (got it on Freecycle) fits in my run nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 11, 2016 Author Share Posted September 11, 2016 Have been trying to find something like that, but apparently they aren't allowed in Holland any more as the wire floor is bad for cat feet and such. I'm keeping the coop closed for the day. Ginger produced an egg yesterday, so no eggs today. Currently two grumpy chickens are muttering on a roost in front of the coop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksRCute Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 I feel your pain My bloody Sussex has finally caved in this weekend after 5 long weeks, 2 x 4 days in lockdown which cooled her desire for all of 2 days but no egg...She's one stubborn & determined Madam. She went broody the day after her chicks were sold at 11 weeks old......& she left them at 5 1/2 weeks so not the best at that!! So, she's certainly no egg machine....just a sitting machine, the lazy mare will probably live forever rent free Broody available free for loan, any takers? Please EDIT Autocorrected broody to bloody, I was going to correct but felt it was apt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
