We have a broody hen...and a chicken conspiracy. Something is up in the coop!
About 7 days ago-- we noticed Ethel wasn't coming out of the Hen House.
We've not ever had a broody hen. So of course we had to take a crash course...via Google and Backyard Chickens to see what was in order. Most suggestions were to 'cool' her off, one suggestion said pour cold water on her head (that didn't sound very nice to me.This isn't the wild west and she isn't a hot under the collar cowboy that needs his head dunked in the water-trough! ) then another's advice was to put her in a cage with a wire bottom and string her up in a tree with food and water (to let her bottom cool down)... I'm guess this all has to do with Hen Hormones.
So then, I began reading what to do for her IF WE HAVE A ROOSTER. Which we do.
The advice was to"let her sit." So we've been letting her sit.
She is 'holed-up' in there and sitting on ???? HOW MANY EGGS , we don't know ??!?!?!?!?!
That is the conspiracy part. It seems our other hens have gone in there and laid in the box WITH her...and laid more eggs. I saw them this morning. Two hens in the same box. We had seen Jayne sitting on the eggs once when Ethel came out... (more to the conspiracy theory)
This morning, I reached in to take an egg...not a good idea. She snapped at me and got me on the finger. Didn't hurt, but I didn't expect it.
Right now, we're following the signs...
and doing the only thing we know to do...just let nature take it's course.
Any suggestions? I'm open for anything and at my wits end.
linking up with Elaine Here:
The Grace of the LORD Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Philippians 4:23
6 comments:
Ooo I cannot wait to see what happens. I hope I see some chicks in a couple of weeks. My poor girls will have no hope if they get broody. Have you hatched chicks of your own before?
Oh goodness I'm a city girl, but love hearing about this, I bet some out there will know what is going on?!
Carol
I'm sorry I can't offer any advice on chickens!
but there are a lot of blogger ladies out there that will know what to do, I bet!
Wow, I don't know anything about chickens either, but I can't wait to see how this turns out. I'm intrigued by the fact that they are all laying eggs in the same box for her to sit on and helping her out by eggsitting for her when she goes out for breaks. Very social of them!
Here are a couple of links on other blogs you could read and maybe chat with them or get ideas! Good luck!
http://communitychickens.blogspot.com/2012/05/broodiness-in-coop.html
http://newlifeonahomestead.com/2012/06/when-how-to-break-up-a-broody-hen/
Ethel needs her time to brood
Don't mess with her, she's in quite the mood.
Whatever you do, don't stop and linger
Or she may take another bit of your finger!
Kelly
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