I have a problem that i hope someone can help me with.
I got a light sussex hen a couple of days ago that was supposed to be showing signs of being broody. I thought that it would be a good idea to have a go at hatching some eggs as it is something i have wanted to do for some time.
Initially i put her in her own accommodation with a nest and some eggs but she was up and down like a yo,yo so i thought that this broodiness was a false alarm. I then put her into the pen with the other chooks so they could start to get to know each other.
Well, this hen is very unsettled and it seems to be getting worse. I cannot get within 6 ft of her without her going mental! She flys about the place bashing into things and making a hell of a noise. I have tried sitting quietly so she can get used to me but she will not settle while i am there.
I thought that when a hen is broody she will sit fast on the nest, she jumps straight off and gets in a panic - she does however jump straight back on when i have gone.
This was not how i thought a broody was going to be!! (what happened to gentle affable rosey!!)
My dilema now is, should i,
1 Put her in her own accommodation with a nest of fertile eggs and let nature take its course ( is this broodiness or a really bad new chook on the block syndrome?)
2. Leave her where she is with fertile eggs and hope she settles in (nesting boxes high up and so not suitable for chicks)
3. Seperate her with no nest and eggs and hope broodiness goes off (if thats what it is)
I really dont know what to do and i am worried that i am not doing right by the hen.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.