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One of my girls has been pulling her chest feathers out for a little while, and I noticed a few days ago that she had developed a new "squawk". She has now taken up residence in the nest box. What is the best thing to do? If I move the nest box into the run and shut the door to the house will the fresh air do the trick and make her come off it? I'm worried that my other girl will be stressed if she has nowhere to lay (I only have the 2 chickens). I will be at work for most of the day but let them out to free-range around the garden for a few hours when I get home. Should I insist that she comes out or just leave her to it? We leave a fake egg in the nest box as otherwise they forget where they are supposed to lay - should I take it out so she has nothing to sit on? Any help appreciated!
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One of my girls has just taken to being broody for the second time. The noise she makes when I take her off the nest is amazing and she somehow doubles in size! I take her off at every oppertunity, take the eggs away as soon as I can but to be honest they are very determined. It's all very difficult when you are at work all day.
Think they just have to go through it and everyone said last time give her three weeks and she'll come off, and she did, to the day! The only thing is they get very skinny as they don't bother to eat, just sit being mummy. I do't like to block up access to the nest box as the other girls need to lay and that's after I have left for work.
Keep an eye on her to make sure she eats and drinks at some stage during the day.She'll come through it.Gardening forever- housework whenever -
You can use a dog cage or similar. Prop it up on bricks and put her in that so that air flow can get underneath. They usually give up after a couple of days. Although you need to do it day and night. obviously make sure that she has plenty of food and water. Place her somewhere sheltered and put her in the coop at night with the others but keep her in the cage.Comment
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I've tried the sin bin and it just doesn't work with my little madam. I lock the pop hole as soon as I'm sure the others have laid and we endure squawking and much wing flapping for the remainder of the day. Unfortuately my broody wouldn't leave the nest box at all if not lifted. Crop appears to be empty whenever I feel it so I prefer to lift her. I'm at home all day so never leave any eggs in the boxes. Doesn't make any difference as she's happy to sit on nothing. I know she will get over it as she has been broody lots of times before. Just wish I knew someone who needs a broody at the moment.Comment
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I feel the same. Hampton the Brahma is fiercely broody and is so huge she has to curl up in the nest box. The others are laying in the other nest box as there is no way they could lay in hers which they would do with a smaller broody. I would so like to give her lots of eggs to hatch but MUST resist!!!Originally posted by frias View PostComment
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