My little pekin Myrtle has decided to go broody for the first time in 4 years - typically enough just before we go on holiday for 2 weeks. I've spent a week turfing her out of the nest box at every opportunity, and although she spent a bit of time running around with the others, she'd end up back in the nest box again. I don't feel I can really ask my neighbour to look after a broody chicken, so as a last resort, have borrowed a wire pen and put her into it it today. I hated doing it and she was very confused to start with and doesn't seem to have eaten much. Even worse, she now seems to be more broody than before. I've let her out with the others a few times but whereas before she would stay out a while, now she just rushes straight back. I've just caught her trying to squeeze out between the wire of the cage (impossible but painful) and when I let her out, she went beserk trying to get into the chicken house, flying at the sides of it. It's so difficult to know what to do - should I persevere and risk her getting stuck in an escape attempt, or just relent? She's sitting on my knee here (because it's nice and warm) waiting for some sound advice!
Broody bin - help please
- Thread starter elmdene
- Start date
I have to admit I have relented for tonight at least.... she was flying upwards trying to escape through the top and beating herself against the sides this evening and I was really worried she was going to injure herself. I have blocked the nesting boxes though and have just put her back onto a perch where she seems settled for now, so will try again in the morning. She was eating ok until I put her in the cage this morning though - it really seems to have made her worse. Poor thing - I feel so awful. 
BabyBantam
Member
Being broody won't hurt her as long as she eats, drinks and poos daily. If the 'sin bin' doesn't cure her, all it takes is 20mins per day thrown out of the box every morning to allow her to do her business. If she's healthy and a good weight she should be ok for your hols as long as your sitter is happy to lock her out till she's seen her perform 
breaking broodys takes a hard heart sometimes, but is needed. Just make sure she's safe... I still shiver thinking of the time I locked Nancy out the nest box for her to get her neck caught between the ark and side panel trying to get back in. She flapped for what seemed like ages before I realised what had happened and croaked for a couple of days 
breaking broodys takes a hard heart sometimes, but is needed. Just make sure she's safe... I still shiver thinking of the time I locked Nancy out the nest box for her to get her neck caught between the ark and side panel trying to get back in. She flapped for what seemed like ages before I realised what had happened and croaked for a couple of days 