Okay, this is what I have. I started with one broody hen who kept stealing everyone else’s eggs. She would not leave the box, even after I took every egg. I thought, well she will just stop if she has nothing to hatch. Well guess again. She was hatching air. Days later, my barred rock mix was sitting on an egg. She also went broody. Every day, I fight with the two to get eggs. I just kick them off and take them. NOW, I have a third who went broody. I have one laying hen left and they all try to sit on her egg! Do they stop laying when they are broody? Because I have only one egg a day now out of 4 layers. Ugh!
I stuck two eggs out of my bator and stuck them under my first broody girl to hatch. I have so many eggs that will hatch I figured, what the heck. But what can I do now about the other girls? This is an awful time of year for them to do this. It’s below zero everyday and windy. Why would they choose to do this NOW?
Is Broody Contagious?
hasn't been with my three girls. my SLC has gone broody twice. The other two just look at her like she's nuts and lay eggs on top of her. ha! They have also become closer since her last broody incident, which is cool, because they used to alienate the 3rd girl.
My Dear Sewincircle: They choose to do this now because they can. I just knew you'd love that answer. I guess if we could just get them to think like us! Hmm or Maybe if we could just think like them! Reminds me of that game called stratego, you know where you try to out fox your opponent. Lets see now Chickens 5 Sewin zero. Oh my "You lose" YES I'm taunting you as I am having the same dumb bird problem. It feel so good not to be alone. LOL Hay
lol i have always thought that because mine always do it to i had 9 broody this year and they all went witthin in a matter of 2 weeks it was funny to watch all the chicks running around
It's probably due to the longer daylight... chickens are photoperiod sensitive, and even a chicken can tell the diff between sunlight and lightbulbs. =0)
When my hen went broody, I finally figured out to just grab her head or around the throat (don't do it Haystack, you'll want that hen later) so she couldn't peck me... it's not like she has a choice, biological imperative and all. They're hard wired, and (theoretically anyway) I can adapt. LOL
Jay
I'd be inclined to steal eggs for the next 3 weeks....then stop. I had a hen who snuck off and brooded two batches of duds 'til I finally got smart and got her a rooster!!
Welcome Back, LuckyC!!
Haystack, yes they do seem to be winning. I know I have the bigger brain here but some how, they still have the advantage! Go figure! I sure hope you have better luck than I am! I am running out of nesting boxes! I only have 4. My poor pullet layed her first egg today on the coop floor.
Lazy Ladies, Maybe the other girls will get closer and start a, "We wont go broody" club! LOL
Luckycharm, 9!!!!! Are you kidding me???? I dont have room for that many broody pants. But mine were all spaced the same way. About 2 weeks! (nice to meet you) ;)
Jay, mine have never pecked me (yet) but I will keep the "grab the head thing" real close! They sure do make a lot of noise. But non violent reaction so far.
Grow, So after 3 weeks they ought to stop this nonsense? I sure hope so. Do they even lay eggs when they are broody? Because I know one is stealing eggs.
Thanks everyone!
No, sorry sewin, I meant that by mid Feb you might be able to let them continue and have chicks that live through it. Figure 21 days from when they start settin'...give 'em 4 weeks? A week to stockpile then 3 to hatch...
Ohhh! I see. So there may not be an end to this? Thud!
I thought it would be cute to have a broody hen. Okay, not so cute.
If I had a bigger place with a lot of room then maybe. But not now.
I think I have one who is reconsidering the broody way of life. She was down hanging out with Duke when I went out to feed and thaw water. But two are for sure hanging on to it. sigh... what now?
My Buff hen would draw blood! I would share my opinion of her low birth with her, rudely chuck her out of the box, etc. til MY brain grew in and then I'd just reach in, grab her head with one hand, take the eggs with the other, and we'd both go about our business much more peacefully.
Maybe you could lecture them on the shortsidedness of barefoot and broody? LOL
Do they offer classes for that. Intervention or something?
LOL, Jay --does that ever work if they're young and determined?!
There was a thread about cooling their hind ends -I think it was Lazy's...
Broody Hens Anonymous?
Adult Humans of Broody Hens?
I thought that was cooling Lazy's hind end... no, maybe that was CMoxon's... LOL
As far as barefoot and broody... no, in my small experience it does not help. Bondage really is the only way to ensure 'romantics' restraint.
{{{ sure you didn't have a short preparatory precipitant snort??}}}
We call that quality control, don't you know. =0)
Did try the chokecherry cordial last night... taaassty.
Have to come up with a reason to gather under your rock, Grow. LOL
Planting Season -or in most cases seed starting season. I get to get going here in about 3 weeks.
I'm going nuts reading about all these folks that are already starting seeds... looks like I'll be starting mine about the same time as you. Definitely a worthy reason to gather...
=0) Jay
Three weeks is a bit early for me. Mid Feb. probably. Cant wait!
I like the Adult Humans of Broody Hens. AHBH. I'm in.
Hello my name is Jeanmarie and I am a human of broody hens...
Welcome JeanMarie!!! {{{clap-clap}}}
My name is Jay and I was the human of broody hens, but I've been broody free for 6 years now.
=0) LOL
How did you get beyond all the hurt and pent up emotions?
I just dont know how to move forward. Broody has disrupted everything in my life.
(sobbing into tissue)
Tsk, tsk {{{pat, pat, pat}}}
Just breath, in and out and remember....
We are powerless over broodiness!
and let it go....
They say it gets easier with time...
but I'm feeling cravings. Oh woe, oh woe.
...........
I just dont understand! That selfish desire they have to sit on the eggs that I so want to eat!
Its all about them. They take take take. They take the food, the love and then they want the eggs too??? (blowing nose loudly into tissue)
Take the long view --they want to provide themselves with family and you with more egg layers...
I think it's important to set limits and stick to them. You have a right to their respect and eggs. You were not put on this earth solely to wait upon their needs... there are many other beings whose needs you also have to wait on and you need your strength and they should support you by providing your breakfast.
Be clear. Be strong. Be your own best friend and grab those eggs!
Grab head, then eggs! Got it! I am empowered and ready to face the day. One day at a time.
^_^
You go, grrrl! Yeah, SC!!!
One egg at a time!
thanks for the welcome back grownut it is good to be back i hope i can come on heaps more again like i used to and have funny convo's again lol cant wait to get back into it
Josh
You were sorely missed. ...although our behavior hasn't improved much in the interim...
oh well it isnt fun without a little bit of mucking up lol
Poorly behaved passionate poultry passifiers.
PBPP