Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

rachbc

btw when you say let them get on with it do you just leave them in with the rest of the flock or seperate her but not discourage her from being broody (which seems to be all the advice but now I think about it seems about as unnatural as trying to stop them laying!)

3v3

rachbc wrote: »

btw when you say let them get on with it do you just leave them in with the rest of the flock or seperate her but not discourage her from being broody (which seems to be all the advice but now I think about it seems about as unnatural as trying to stop them laying!)

I mean: when one of my girls went "broody", I didn't discourage it and I kept her within her flock group. It was a bit of a soap opera watching the non-broodies trying to squidge in to lay their egg, but, the broody would roll them under her in a possessive grasp as if to say: "Mine, mine, MINE!" Those were the days when I had 3 to a "flock". Collecting the *real* eggs was a doddle is I got them in the morning when the broody raced out for a munch and a sip and I left a marble egg in the nest box.

When I had more than 3 to the flock, it did alter the balance of power. That was the time (back in Spring) that I chose to alter the dynamics. I kept the broody seperate (and gave her fertilised eggs) and kept the rest independant. Sadly, I lost the seperated flock to a fox But, the broody was secure and hatched 5/6 eggs

A cheapish rabbit hutch (if the dog crate is not affordable) is adequate for a broody to while away her time. But, thought should be given to how you will integrate the seperated hen back into the main flock at a later date.

rachbc

thanks - I only have 3 so think it could work to keep them together and not discourage her - like I say it was ok doing til I messed it up - assuming she gets through the next few days that is

3v3

Sweetie, you did *not* "mess up" Get that thought out of your head! You did, what you thought was the best thing It's a learning curve.

Got my fingers X'd that she makes it through the next few days and heals fast x But, do not berate yourself; you did what you did for the most honourable of reasons! It must have been a huge shock for you to find her today. I just know that you will do the very best you can to make her well and to keep your girls fit, friendly and productive.

They really get into your heart don't they

Healing chook vibes being sent your way ( and consoling vibes being sent to *you*!) x

rachbc

they certainly do - i would have laughed at someone spending 3 times the cost of the chook on 1 vets appt but I just couldn't wring her neck as one 'friend' tried to tell me to!

ionahenor2

Oh Rach, sorry to hear about the chicken fight. I do hope she is on the mend soon.

I had a broody last year and did as you did turfing her out of the nest once everyone had laid. She sat by the closed eglu door all day making herself a little hollow in the woodchip. I felt really mean just over that so I let her back in and tried other methods. The brick in the nest box only resulted in broken eggs and her wedged in between the brick and the side of the nest. The ice pack didn't cool her down even when used a few days in a row. In the end we made a cage that we raised on blocks (a pet carrier with a wire bottom if possible) and put it in the new enclosed walk in run we were building and placed in food and water in with her. I did put in a log for her perch on. She was in this for 2 days. The others could see her but she slept alone in there at night. I think the idea is that the air ciculates under them and cools them down. I didn't try the bucket dunking as it was not warm enough for her to dry naturally. I have since bought a wire dog cage in case it happened this year. They had them in Aldi a few months ago quite cheap. There is some good advice on the Omlet forum about broodys.

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=14370

poohbear59

When my hen was broody I popped her in an old rabbit hutch so the others could all see her. In fact when I reintroduced her some of the hens chose the rabbit hutch instead of the hen house.

You could ask on freegle for an old pet carrier or hutch.

I hope her injuries are a lot better today.

A while ago I asked for advice re missing eggs, broken eggs etc. I am now finding two or three broken eggs each day and the culprit is definitely not laying. She has spurs growing on the backs of her legs. Is the leader of the pack.

Chickenopolis

3v3 wrote: »

Sweetie, you did *not* "mess up" Get that thought out of your head! You did, what you thought was the best thing It's a learning curve.

Got my fingers X'd that she makes it through the next few days and heals fast x But, do not berate yourself; you did what you did for the most honourable of reasons! It must have been a huge shock for you to find her today. I just know that you will do the very best you can to make her well and to keep your girls fit, friendly and productive.

They really get into your heart don't they

Healing chook vibes being sent your way ( and consoling vibes being sent to *you*!) x

rachbc- Ditto x

3v3

rachbc wrote: »

they certainly do - i would have laughed at someone spending 3 times the cost of the chook on 1 vets appt but I just couldn't wring her neck as one 'friend' tried to tell me to!

"Friends", no matter how well intentioned, can sometimes get their sentiments misjudged

How's your chook today? More to the point, how are you bearing up? I've been thinking about you all day and I really do hope that things are moving forward positively for both you and your henny!

rachbc

took her back for a check up today as she is running very hot and worried she has an infection - wound seems to be healing ok and she is very perky in herself but because of the fever she is on oral abs as well as the cream - have a gel for her wound and a tiny little collar to stop her pecking the wound - she looks very funny! She got plenty of attention at the vets sticking her head out the box and bok-ing at everything! Going to get some her fav mealworms tomorrow to put her abs on as can't imagine getting them into her beak with a syringe and she spills her water too much to put it in there!

Have to say I'm not fee great but think its other stuff to - hectic work atm and seem to be rushing everywhere with cats, kids and hens aterwards. Hubby out tonight and can't decide between a bath and early night or large gin and box of after 8s!