Broody Hen

[dawn]

I'm wondering if it's ok to just leave my pekin to snap out of it on her own. She's been broody for two weeks, isn't on any eggs and is incredibly determined. Have tried leaving her in isolation on cold concrete in the run, she just settles there. For the last week have shut her out of the house and run as soon as the other hen has laid, she'll wander around with the others or circle the outside of the house and run but go straight back to the nest when we open the house up at night. This is even if she's been out for most of the day. I can't see that dipping her rear end in cold water will help, as from what I've read the idea is it'll stop her sitting while she dries off and that'd be long enough to make her forget. This one could sit in the bucket all day and still remember if she does after a day out loose.

So, I'm wondering if it'll do her any harm to just let her get on with it. She has pulled out a lot of breast feathers, but when she's out she's still very active and she eats and drinks and poohs (enormously). She doesn't seem too irritable either, will run up and want to be picked up although I think there's an ulterior motive because she'll then settle down on me. . It's just that I've heard they get out of condition and susceptible to illness when they brood.

Any views from you more experienced people ?

 

[snifter]

I'd keep shutting her out of the hen house in the day and don't let her sit in the nest boxes at night. When its dark go put her on a perch overnight.

 

[elmwood]

Hi Dawn,

Are you still hanging in there, is your pekin still broody?

Our Pekin, lavender, decided for the 2nd time this month she wanted to sit on eggs!. So I made the decision to dunk her in water after the last episode. It wasn't half as bad as I thought. She didn't even seem to mind, maybe thought she was having another bath?

I held her in lukewarm water for 5 seconds up to her chest. RESULT- she has totally gone off the idea of sitting on anything. I wouldn't hesitate trying this method again should any of the others go broody.

Sharron

 

[dawn]

Still hanging on, Blackie now into the third week and Squeak joined her a week ago - our poor rooster is looking very unhappy and bored but at least he won't be going broody They're shut out of the house all day, but straight back to it at night. I did try your suggestion Snifter, but couldn't get Blackie to stay on the perch, she just settled down and fluffed up on the floor underneath. Then she bit whichever bit of feathered bottom came close, so no-one was getting any sleep and she was literally spitting feathers.

I've been really reluctant to try the cold water trick, but after your experience Sharron I might just try at the weekend if nothing changes. I know it sounds silly, but they are such lovely trusting little birds and I don't want them to be scared of me afterwards. I'm assuming you hold them around the wings and just put the tail end in the water upto your hands - don't suppose you did a you-tube clip :lol:

 

[elmwood]

Dawn,- no you-tube video, but am working on an update of the mealworm chase, as all five run like billy-oh now...... :lol:

I am not sure if the dunking in water would work when they are as far in with the broodiness as your girls? Caught our Pekin at the very first signs of broodiness for the 2nd time.

As for trusting me- they still do like to be wrapped up in a fluffy towl and sit on my knee- they get a rest and I get to give them some TLC. They like the towel draped over their heads, they then settle and close their eyes..... bless. rather like swaddling a baby....

 

[dawn]

Love the fluffy towel Sharron, might try that with mine. They don't know it yet, but they have a date with a bucket of water on saturday if the weather's ok. However, I will also have the option of a broody coop to put them in - see my post in the general section.