The Poultry Keeper

Ros · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 8 Location: West Sussex

We have two wyandotte hens, one light sussex and two cuckoo maran bantams. No cockerel. One of the wyandottes has gone broody and sits on all the eggs given half a chance even though there is no chance of anything hatching. She is bad tempered when moved but having done so it is not long before she is back in the ark sitting in the laying area. She has stopped laying herself we think.
Is there anything we can do or will this behaviour pass?
Suggestions anyone?

CP · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:41 pm Post subject:

It will pass....eventually! But some hens can be pretty bloody minded & sit on anything or even nothing, for weeks at a time. Rolling Eyes

The best way is to put her in something like a cat cage, with wire all around her so she cools down. The broody hen gets very warm underneath - which is perfect for hatching eggs, of course.
She should have food & water but no nest material.
I am reliably informed that this should take 2-4 days to break the broody habit.
(never actually done it myself, so I'm only repeating what's been suggested before.) Wink

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1844 Location: norfolk

They can be stubborn sometimes - up to 10 days or even more......

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1044 Location: Cornwall

Scrunch up some chicken wire and put it in the nestbox then sit her on it. It's uncomfortable and she'll soon give up trying to sit.

Ros · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 8 Location: West Sussex

Thanks everyone. This will give us plenty of opportunity for experimentation.

LOL
Ros