Tessa the Duchess Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 My fave chicken, Annie, is behaving very strangely today. I noticed that she was not freeranging with the other two this morning, checked the nesting box and she was in there doing the 'go away I'm laying an egg' thing. She stayed in there for three hours? and then came out with her usual Whoop and flapping of wings. She had a bite to eat, a quick drink and now she's back in the nexting box and refuses to come out. I have removed all the eggs. Is she going to lay another? or, and please god say it's not the case, becoming broody?? Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 Is she sitting like a fluffy pancake on the nest? Has she removed any featehrs from her breast at all? Here is a sticky all about broodiness, see if that will help. http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=239 Also try wrapping a couple of ice blocks in a tea towel and putting that in the nest box. All the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted November 3, 2007 Author Share Posted November 3, 2007 Is she sitting like a fluffy pancake on the nest? Has she removed any featehrs from her breast at all? Thanks so much for the Sticky Christian, full of useful info. Yes she does look like a fluffy pancake, and I did notice some feathers in the nesting box She seems so young to be broody, maybe she wants to be a single teenage mother Its getting late, so I'll leave her alone for now, but tomorrow I will see how she is and take some action, can't decide on the nasty broody cage method or the dunking her bottom in ice cold water method The joys of chickenkeeping eh Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 (edited) Is she hissing and spitting? I used Christians tip re the ice blocks and found it worked well. Boot her unceremoniously off the nesting box as soon as every one has laid and close the Eglu door. It should be easier to break a broody now that the colder weather is here. Edited November 3, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 I had one of my girls go broody mearly weeks after she started laying. I found the bottom dunking several times a day most effecient. I would think a cold day and a wet bottom would be useful in snapping her out of it! Let's hope she changes her mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 The quicker you act, the sooner she will stop Tessa. Boot her off the nest now and put a ball/flower pot in the nest box. Don't let her get comfy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted November 3, 2007 Author Share Posted November 3, 2007 The quicker you act, the sooner she will stop Tessa. Boot her off the nest now and put a ball/flower pot in the nest box Okeedokee, ran out and chucked her out of the nexting box, she was not best pleased, but she didn't spit at me It is a bit tricky doing this at this time of the day, because they will all be going to bed in about half an hour, so shutting the Eglu door seems a bit cruel to the other 'good non broody' birds, but needs must. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milly Posted November 4, 2007 Share Posted November 4, 2007 Our Miss Pepperpot has been broody for a couple of weeks now. But I am too soft to dunk her in cold water when it's so cold (I haven't been at home during the day when it has been milder). I keep hoping that if I drag her out and put her on the cold ground it will have the same effect. It seems to work for a bit, as she cools down, flaps around and acts more normal. But then she just goes back in and starts sitting on the empty nest again. I didn't think they would get broody when it's cold and the days are getting shorter. But obviously I was wrong Milly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted November 4, 2007 Author Share Posted November 4, 2007 But I am too soft to dunk her in cold water when it's so cold I know what you mean Milly, I have spoilt my chickens something rotten since I've had them, and now to dunk one of them in cold water feels a bit like smacking a tiny baby BUT it has to be done, I can't cope with her moping around on the nesting box like a stroppy teenager I waited until the other two had laid this a.m then chucked Annie off the nesting box and put a football ("Ooops, word censored!"nal) in there. She is now in the Eglu house sort of curled up around the ball When DH gets back from wherever he snuck off to I will get him to help with the dunking, then let them freerange with the Eglu door firmly closed. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 4, 2007 Share Posted November 4, 2007 Keep up the good work Tessa! It can make them poorly if they stay broody for too long as they don't eat properly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted November 4, 2007 Author Share Posted November 4, 2007 [quote) It can make them poorly if they stay broody for too long as they don't eat properly Well, so far so good. She was 'dunked' earlier, gawd the noise she made, I was waiting for one of the neighbours to call the RSPCA and of course the other two squawked in sympathy The Eglu door is firmly closed, she is very ticked off keeps on going up to the door and pecking on it and peering through the vent holes, but I have hardened my heart, I am determined this broodiness must stop right now Anyway she is eating and drinking as normal as far as I can tell, so we shall see. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...