Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: bcmtngrl on May 23, 2006, 23:27

Title: Bullying
Post by: bcmtngrl on May 23, 2006, 23:27

Hi there,
My husband and I bought 25 layer chicks about 7 months ago. They have been producing eggs since about 4 months old. Lately though I have noticed one hen that stays on the eggs, she will not come out unless I bring her out, and when I bring her out into the pen or our back yard, all of the other hens pick on her. Why is this and is there anything I can do? Right now I bring her out and sit with her while she eats her treats and gets some sun. Her comb is not bright like the others, could this be lack of sunshine? Thanks any info would be greatly appreciated. We are new to this and we have just purchased 50 more chicks to add to the group.

Tanja

Title: Bullying
Post by: green.goddess on May 25, 2006, 12:52

Sounds like she might be broody? Hybrids have usually had this bred out of them, but there are always exceptions that prove the rule. It sounds like you are taking good care of her though, so I would just carry on doing what you are doing to make sure she can eat and drink without being bullied. The others probably have no idea whats wrong with her and thinking she is ill, may well peck her to death. Chickens are cannibals so keep an eye on things!

Title: ?
Post by: bcmtngrl on May 25, 2006, 16:01

Thanks for the response, excuse my ignorance, what is broody and how is it bred out? The whole flock came together to us when they where 2 days old.
Thanks!

Title: Bullying
Post by: Phoenix on May 25, 2006, 21:04

broody = in season???? i aint got chicks so mayb wrong lol and also dont know the terms u use for chicks (in season is for female dogs lol)

Title: Bullying
Post by: John on May 25, 2006, 22:14

I think when hens go broody it means they start sitting on eggs to hatch them. Unless there's a cock in the house the eggs are infertile so it's a bit pointless.
A broody hen can be useful if you're breeding as she can sit on a whole clutch of eggs,

There's a really good article on it  at  Broad Leys Publishing (http://www.blpbooks.co.uk/articles/rearing_chicks/rearing_chicks_brooders.php)

Title: Bullying
Post by: edines33 on September 03, 2006, 23:43

yep deff sounds broody!! if its not what you want then try w very wet sponge on the nest! it workd on my brrdy hen (also named broody)

all the best

Emma