Author Topic: Broody Hens... (Read 1807 times)

Samantha · « **on:** July 29, 2010, 05:35:39 pm »

On the co-op farm where I am we have two very broody hens, as I want to rear from egg I have offered to exchange one broody for 2 POL chickens or buy the broodies, however the general opinion is to try and get them laying again (they were rescued hens) one hen has been broody to the point of sitting on an empty nest for over 5 weeks now.

I am a bit concerend as the intention is to separate them from the main flock to stop them brooding. Both hens are sitting and they are being taken out of the nest to go eat / drink once a day ... but they aren't eating .. all they care about is getting back to the nest and there is no water and food for them inside.

The logic here puzzles me, does anyone have any advice how to unbroody a hen? there is no guarentee that either of them will lay again as they are both battery rescued and it just seems a waste to unbroody two pefectly good broodies when genuine POL birds are being offered in exchange lol ... but then maybe i'm just too logical about things ...

what are the chances of getting these hens actaully laying again?

Any pointers / advice would be appreciated

Sam

doganjo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 29, 2010, 06:16:05 pm »

If they are ex batts why do you think they wouldn't lay again? That's one of the reasons people take them as well as rescuing them. Mine always have. Are these girls really old? Is that why you don't think they will lay? Most people who don't want a broody to stay so will take them out of the nest box and stop them going back in. If you want them to stay broody you give them food and water enar teh nest box so they don't have to go far afield. I think it depends if you need more birds as to whether you put eggs under the two broodies. You are likely to get a lot of cockerels that way too - can you cope with that? I don't breed fro taht reason - can't have any more cockerels after my LS one had to go because of neighbour complaints.