emmalou Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 I have a broody girl. I am intermittantely shutting her out of the hen house when the others aren't laying and using ice packs under her nest when she is in there. I feel mean shutting her out but when she is out, she is eating but cannot see her drinking. I am unsure how to get her drinking. I have even put some mealworms in some water and she has hooked out a few but not sure she is taking on much water, or indeed how much she gets from eating. How can I get her drinking please? It is 33 degrees here so really warm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 As it is so hot how about making her an ice lolly ? Mine have a few liquidised strawberries and mint - apparently mint is cooling - with some water and then frozen. They quite like pecking at it but really enjoy the cool slush as it melts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippie Chick Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 I know it's not really drinking, but mine go crazy for cucumbers and they are full of water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 As long as there is water available to her, don't worry about her she will not die of thirst. You need a broody cage. I put a hen in it today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmalou Posted June 12, 2017 Author Share Posted June 12, 2017 Thanks for your comments and advice. I have tried the frozen veg thing. I am not sure about whether a broody cage is good atm as we have 25 degrees and think it may be too much. Whilst it is shaded it is not ideal in this heat. I was trying to avoid the broody cage and trying the ice packs under her nest atm, but have been doing that for 2 days with no joy. If I shut her nest off the pthers cannot lay their eggs. I was also trying to leave the nest area open at night so they have good ventilation in the sleeping area. She does eventually sleep in the roosting area but I have to lift her out of the nest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Would it work if you put her in the broody cage inside your house ? It must be cooler in there ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 It would be best if the broody cage was int he run with the others - raise it up on bricks to maximise the airflow. Does your run have enough shade, or do you think you should rig up some tarps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 How is your broody doing now ? Has it got any cooler over there ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmalou Posted June 18, 2017 Author Share Posted June 18, 2017 Thanks for asking...she seems to have snapped out of it atm but she isn't laying atm. Still very hot...there is no let up in the temperatures. Luckily their run is very shelted after around 10am and is the coolest place in the garden. How is it with you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 Scorchio!! High 20s in Cornwall all weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 My weather gadget told us it reached 32.7 today Far too hot for cooking roast dinner for Father's Day. Glad your broody has snapped out of it emmalou. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmalou Posted June 19, 2017 Author Share Posted June 19, 2017 Wow steady. I heard there was a heat wave in the UK! Well I spoke too soon. Whilst she isn't broody now, I noticed a few weeks back she had plucked out her underneath feathers with broodiness. I have noticed since yesterday that she is now losing feathers. Thing is, it isn't moult time right? There were lots of her feathers in the roosting area adn earlier I watched her and she gave a little quick scratch and some fell out on her head? I have not had moult with my girls yet. She has stopped laying too. Any ideas please? It is very hot here, around 30-35 degrees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
