broody hen – should I be bovvered?

Miss Bean · « **on:** August 08, 2008, 21:14 »

My speckledy hen has gone all broody on me and she really doesn't want to get off her nest! I read in the keeping chickens book that you just take them off the nest and let them cool down a bit.

Well I tried putting her in the rabbit run for half a day and I though she was going to go bonkers, so I let her into the garden… she just ran straight back to the hen house!

So should I do anything about it? What's best?

:roll:

Roughlee Handled · « **Reply #1 on:** August 08, 2008, 21:28 »

I have been told that as long as you make sure you let them have water and food once a day then that is ok. In other words chuck the chuck off the nest and so she will eat and drink. Other wise if you want eggs and you want to stop her being broody the block off the nest boxes.

But what do I know I have only have chucks for 3 months and none have gone broody.

Shazzer · « **Reply #2 on:** August 08, 2008, 22:24 »

it can be a real pain two of mine have gone broody twice in 2 months, it has lasted 2 to 3 weeks each time, so no eggs! I have tried all sorts of things but i just think they give up in their time not ours.

FCG · « **Reply #3 on:** August 09, 2008, 00:18 »

You sods! I really want one of mine to go broody this year so i get some baby chicks. Probably won't happen until next though, i really want to lay (ba-dum-ptsch) my hands on some maran eggs to hatch out.

Oh... bodger...

NormandyMary · « **Reply #4 on:** August 09, 2008, 18:02 »

Ive put an egg under my broody today. Is it OK to put just one or are they better in pairs.
Just told OH he is going to have to make me a maternity ward......not impressed. Oh well!

Miss Bean · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2008, 21:32 »

well, she's still broody… but ain't they loverly when they're like that?

poultrygeist · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2008, 23:00 »

We were told you have to be hard on them. As said, food and water and don't let them settle.

Unless you want to of course

FCG - could you rent space under someone else's broody ??

Kind of surrogate broodiness.

Rob

FCG · « **Reply #7 on:** August 12, 2008, 00:01 »

No Rob! I want to go through the experience of having eggs hatch and having fluffy chicks from day one. Looky likely that i'll have to get a light sussex for a broody as two very expert women (Kate & Sarah) say they make great mothers .. so no arguments here.

Roughlee Handled · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2008, 08:26 »

FCG you know that your and my fav poultry supplier has Light Sussex hybrids? Only 17ish weeks though.

FCG · « **Reply #9 on:** August 12, 2008, 19:22 »

yeah, but will they hybrids be good broodys?

Roughlee Handled · « **Reply #10 on:** August 12, 2008, 22:45 »

mmm Dont know.

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broody hen – should I be bovvered?

poultrygeist