What do I do about broody wyandotte!

[Sue]

After all the other problems she's been causing (and still is causing!) she has now gone broody!!!!!! What do I do with her? I can't separate her ANYWHERE. I don't want to hatch any eggs (no cock bird anyway)! I can't shut them out of the house and all the birds lay their eggs at different times all throughout the day - some in the morning, some at lunchtime and some in the afternoon!!!! I waiting for them all to lay today and them shut them all out and moved her off the nest box and put her outside with the others. She had a go at me though, but I was prepared and more long sleeves and gloves!!!! She did come out to feed and drink and was quite happy when I shut her out, but I'm at work most days and can't wait for them to lay and shut the door. She's not sitting on any eggs by the way!

 

[Chuck]

If you can't shut her up somewhere small on her own with bare floor & preferably slats you'll have to endure what you're going through now & she may be broody for weeks.

I'll be interested to see if anyone else has any suggestions/solutions

 

[Sue]

I don't mind how long she's broody as long as it's not going to do her any harm. I'm not worried about her not laying. I'm more worried about her not eating or drinking.

Any comments or suggestions welcome.

 

[bantiekeeper]

I recently had problems with 3 of my 6 Wyandotte bantams. I was getting concerned as one had been broody for 40 days, the other 2 for 15-20 days. Although I got them out every day to poo and feed I was concerned about their health. I decided to use a cage for the first time in 3 years. Putting them in the cage seperately they were all back to normal within a week. Two days and nights seemed to do the trick.
They are all now back to normal and laying most days. Hope this helps.

 

[dawn]

I have used a wire cat basket, I have it for the cats anyway and can't remember what it cost but I don't think it was too much. My pekins fit in with a bit of room to stand up and turn around, I have two of the small bowls that attach to wire (usually for bird cages) and put food and water in those. If you stand it on a couple of bricks that's supposed to let the airflow beneath the hen which helps. At night I put it in the pen, complete with hen in it and drape a towel over it so she's safe and not too uncomfortable or cold.

Even if you can't put it anywhere safe overnight, you could at least use one during the day to minimise the time she's on a nest. Can you block off the nest boxes at night to stop her going in them - put something in to stop her sitting such as flower pots, upturned cardboard box, anything really.

Having said that, one of mine is now on week three brooding, my broody coop didn't work, nor did the cat basket. She's done it before and did eventually stop, all you can do it keep her out of the nest box whenever you can.

If you can put her in a cat basket, it'll stop her bullying while she's separated off and may help sort it out once and for all. They do say isolating the bully can solve problems.

 

[Thresherhens]

Sue, it sounds as if we have the same problems! I have been able to separate my pekin in the family dog crate (which i can fit in!) and she has been this way since Tuesday. Like the others have said if you cant separate her she could carry on for ages. Before i separated her i use to just lock up the house so they were only in the coop and then when i got in let them out. She had to be lifted out to stretch her legs, as she also sat glued to the ground and normally there was an egg, which was quickly removed much to her dislike. When moved it was at this time she did the biggest poo ever, ate and drank so i knew she was a least eating/drinking something. Its a pain but her health is more important. Have a look on the thread called 'Broody Pekin, more advice please' everyones been really helpful. Good luck!!

 

[Chuck]

From the health point of view, she should be fine as she'll come off once a day at least to eat and drink and sometimes a dust bath.