[Herbyforager]

Hi, I have 2 Orpingtons one of whom, bossy Bertha has been broody at least 3 times in the last 18 months since I've had the hens.  I also have 3 Pekin bantams, 1 of whom Cilla has been broody for long spells in the past.

At the moment Cilla's been broody for about 6 weeks, and has had another bantam with her for the last 4 weeks.
Bertha recovered 2 weeks ago, after a 3 week bout, which was great but then the other Orpington succumbed for the first time 3 days ago, and so Bertha started too which just leaves 1 poor baffled bantam wondering where all her friends are!

I was told to use ice cubes but also about using a brood cage which I've been trying for the last 48 hours with Bertha and co, but they haven't learnt anything so far, and keep going back to the nest as soon as they've eaten.

This has been a pretty constant problem with the hens since I took them on about 18 months ago, and I find it v difficult to cope with. It's distressing to put the hens in the cage too.
I'm also back at work on long shifts tomorrow, so won't be able to leave them caged for 14 hours.

Any advice would be most welcome!

[jaydig]

One of mine went broody a few weeks ago, and I kept lifting her out of the nest box every time she took up residence. I got hissed at, flapped at, and generally cursed every time I did it, but after about three weeks she gave up. As soon as the nestbox had been used by the others to lay their eggs, I shut it off so she couldn't get back in, so I wasn't going in and out lifting her off the nest all day.

[grinling]

can you close the coop door?

[Sparkyrog]

Hi, I have 2 Orpingtons one of whom, bossy Bertha has been broody at least 3 times in the last 18 months since I've had the hens.  I also have 3 Pekin bantams, 1 of whom Cilla has been broody for long spells in the past.

At the moment Cilla's been broody for about 6 weeks, and has had another bantam with her for the last 4 weeks.
Bertha recovered 2 weeks ago, after a 3 week bout, which was great but then the other Orpington succumbed for the first time 3 days ago, and so Bertha started too which just leaves 1 poor baffled bantam wondering where all her friends are!

I was told to use ice cubes but also about using a brood cage which I've been trying for the last 48 hours with Bertha and co, but they haven't learnt anything so far, and keep going back to the nest as soon as they've eaten.

This has been a pretty constant problem with the hens since I took them on about 18 months ago, and I find it v difficult to cope with. It's distressing to put the hens in the cage too.
I'm also back at work on long shifts tomorrow, so won't be able to leave them caged for 14 hours.

Any advice would be most welcome!

No you can't leave them caged for 14 hr's .But a week should do it ! just ensure they have food and water .

[Aunt Sally]

Both Pekins and Orpingtons are noted for becoming broody I'm afraid 

This is a handy chart:

http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

[Beekissed]

Know anybody with small chicks that need a mama?  Give them each some babies to raise and that will get them out of the nests and back on their feet.  When the babies are old enough, give them back to their original owner and your hens should rejoin the flock. 

If not that, sitting them in a bucket of cool water for a bit each day, then taking them off the nests and placing them on the roosts each night, just may get them out of the notion. 

[Herbyforager]

Thanks everyone.
Well I've given up on the broody cage, and with no access to eggs that need hatching, I'm trying out the regime of cool soaks, and bringing the hens out on to their roost at night.
Bertha's improved, and is off the nest a lot of the day so that's one down, 3 to go! X
Sue