please help me help lottie

chickchick · « **on:** September 29, 2008, 16:31 »

Hi all, on Saturday, I opened the henhouse door and out flocked 5 chickens as usual but not Lottie. She was sitting on the nest/egg laying area. She wouldnt budge so by lunchtime i picked her up and took her to the food and drink and she then ate and drunk normally and was happy and trotted around, then ran back in the house and sat on the nesting area again. This has been happening all weekend and today and im starting to get worried. When shes out shes fine, but she wants to just sit in the nesting area. Today when i walked up to school, i meanly locked the hen house down so she couldnt get back in until i got back hour and half later! i felt really mean but she would have just sat in there.
she has been laying eggs fine and we cant feel anything. she feels warm but i think its cos shes snug on the nest! comb fine and eyes ok. could she be broody? shes about 30 weeks old now. will she stop this? im really worried about her, i if neccesary will get her an egg to hatch. what do you all think?

Kate and her Ducks · « **Reply #1 on:** September 29, 2008, 16:48 »

Not an expert but it certainly sounds like she is broody, there's been a lot of it about! It's getting a bit late in the year for chicks, especially as they won't hatch for 3 weeks. I would keep doing what you are doing and kicking her off.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #2 on:** September 29, 2008, 17:01 »

Sounds broody to me too.

I'd cool her down a bit. When mine do it I lift them off the nest and make them fly down from my arms. The rush of air cools their undercarriage

chickchick · « **Reply #3 on:** September 29, 2008, 17:11 »

thanks ive been so worried about her. forgot to say ive also checked for the dreaded red mite but touch wood no signs of that. will she eventually get non broody? kids want her to hatch a fertilised egg, but ive said no at the moment!

woodburner · « **Reply #4 on:** September 29, 2008, 20:15 »

Just a warning so you don't panic when it happens, but broodies do humungous SMELLY poos!

chickchick · « **Reply #5 on:** September 29, 2008, 21:05 »

oh great, something to look forward to! :roll:

FCG · « **Reply #6 on:** September 29, 2008, 21:09 »

Quote from: "woodburner"

Just a warning so you don't panic when it happens, but broodies do humungous SMELLY poos!

More than the usual overnighters?

:shock:

Uh - oh

tiptopchickendon · « **Reply #7 on:** September 29, 2008, 21:27 »

Quote from: "woodburner"

Just a warning so you don't panic when it happens, but broodies do humungous SMELLY poos!

True...

I have a Broody Hybrid at the moment, at the weekend she that must be obeyed, went out in the garden and reckoned a dog had done its business in the garden near the run, and was worried for the chickens... i checked and said that was from Tikka... ? i wont write what she said....

:oops:

fortunatley Tikka appears to be coming out of Broodiness...she has been out in the garden all day without running back tp the coop.

Also, prior to going broody she had laid eggs on 12 straight days...

dont know if that was pre-curser to broodiness.

chickchick · « **Reply #8 on:** October 07, 2008, 22:22 »

ggrrrrrr.....lotties still broody, im still being mean and locking her out of the coop, but shes driving me mad and i wish i can help her out of this. shes still eating and drinking well
please any more tips?

agapanthus · « **Reply #9 on:** October 07, 2008, 22:30 »

Quote from: "chickchick"

ggrrrrrr.....lotties still broody, im still being mean and locking her out of the coop, but shes driving me mad and i wish i can help her out of this. shes still eating and drinking well
please any more tips?

Have you thought about giving her some fertile eggs to sit on?

agingchick · « **Reply #10 on:** October 07, 2008, 22:44 »

Hi have you tried putting her into a cage with a wire floor, lift it off the ground with bricks. the cool air on her bottom stops her being broody it worked for mine she has just started laying again first a soft shelled one then a normal one. you have to be quite hard hearted and keep her in the cage for a few days I did let mine out after 2 days but had to keep the house shut because she still wanted to go in I just put her back in the cage at night.
Diane.

chickchick · « **Reply #11 on:** October 07, 2008, 22:55 »

Quote from: "agapanthus"

Quote from: "chickchick"
ggrrrrrr.....lotties still broody, im still being mean and locking her out of the coop, but shes driving me mad and i wish i can help her out of this. shes still eating and drinking well
please any more tips?

Have you thought about giving her some fertile eggs to sit on?

i would absolutely love to, but wouldnt know where to start!! if it would help her ill try anything!
Is it too late (ie too cold) for little chicks?
how do you look after them once theyve hatched? the kids would love it and so would i!!
any tips?