The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Maddox on May 07, 2009, 08:17:15 pm
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Hi All
I have my first ever broody hen, I have no fertile eggs so she is wasting her time (bless) any ideas on how to stop her please??
Many thanks
Maddox
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The old way was to put them in a tea chest sized box with a slatted floor. Keep it clear of the ground so there is a gap under it. They can't settle to sit then.
We tend to make sure they have no eggs to sit on and every time we pass the hen house, lift them off the nest and put them outside.
Of course, a sure fire way to stop a broody is to go out and buy some really expensive setting eggs and put them under her, she'll stop sitting next day! ;) ;) ;)
Dave
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One of my ex batts has gone broody - I might try a duck egg under her to see what she does ;D I did that before and the poor thing went bananas every time her baby went near the pond.
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The old way was to put them in a tea chest sized box with a slatted floor. Keep it clear of the ground so there is a gap under it. They can't settle to sit then.
We tend to make sure they have no eggs to sit on and every time we pass the hen house, lift them off the nest and put them outside.
Of course, a sure fire way to stop a broody is to go out and buy some really expensive setting eggs and put them under her, she'll stop sitting next day! ;) ;) ;)
Dave
Many thanks for the advice. where do you find these setting eggs?? looked on the wb and cant seem to find any.
M x
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Look for fertile or hatching eggs - ebay normally has loads although not everyone is reliable (had some batches that i don't think were fertilised at all)
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I can give you LS hens or KC ducks if you are close but won't put them through the post. Perhaps you have some oen nearby who could give you some to try? You aren't on the map.
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Hi
Im in Nr Chelmsford Essex.
Many thanks
Maddox
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Have a look on the members map, there may be someone near you who has fertile eggs.
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It would seem a shame to not let her try a brood. Try the small holder magazine loads of breeders advertise there. one of our hylines has just kicked our light sussex bantam off her eggs. poor girls she had sat for over two weeks. The hyline is now sitting on them will wait and see what happens.
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I've never heard of that before - poor thing. Did she not try to make a nest somewhere else?
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yes right next to the hyline.
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Maddox, you're near me then! I'll happily let you have some eggs if you want some?
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Hi Dixie
That would be fab, I will PM you ;D
xx