Help! I've got a broody hen on New Year's Day!

[Miss M]

Okay, so we were getting almost no eggs (as you may recall from a previous thread), and we put lights in the rabbitry and chicken coop to hopefully stimulate more egg production. We are up to about three eggs per day now, which is certainly better than 0 - 1.

This evening, we noticed that one of our hens is spending the night in a nest box! But it's January 1st! Can you successfully hatch and raise chicks at this time of year? I wasn't expecting any of this until maybe March.

Our typical winter: Highs in the 50s, lows in the mid - upper 30s.

Daytime range: 40s to 70s, occasionally 30s or 80s.
Nighttime range: 20s to 40s, occasionally teens or 50s and 60s.

For the next week:
Tonight: 36
2nd: 61 | 57
3rd: 73 | 48
4th: 57 | 35
5th: 50 | 34
6th: 58 | 36
7th: 55 | 31
8th: 49 | ?

 

[Marinea]

Can she hatch them now? Yes. Are they likely to survive outside once hatched? Very iffy. You'd be looking at a late January hatch- the weather would not be in your favor.

I see two options- keep removing the eggs from the broody hen until March, OR give her a bunch to hatch and set up a brooder for them once they hatch. I use a large plastic tote, with shavings and a heat lamp. If you have electric run to the coop, you could keep them there. I bring mine inside where I can keep a close eye on them.

 

[Miss M]

Okay, thank you so much, Marinea! I'll talk to my beloved Shay about it tomorrow, and we'll decide what to do. We were actually getting ready to get some chicks, and set them up in a plastic bin in the shed with a heat lamp and shavings.

We have a little rabbit hutch, very much like this one: http://www.petco.com/product/107901/WAR ... Hutch.aspx

If she persists in nesting, and we decide to try to help her hatch the eggs out, should we move her into the enclosed part of the hutch?

 

[Zass]

Just don't let MSD find out about it.

Last time I mentioned having chickens in a rabbit cage, I almost ended up banned

 

[Miss M]

Just don't let MSD find out about it.

Last time I mentioned having chickens in a rabbit cage, I almost ended up banned

:rotfl:

Okay, I'll try to be .

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Just don't let MSD find out about it.

Last time I mentioned having chickens in a rabbit cage, I almost ended up banned

:rotfl:

Okay, I'll try to be .

MSD has eyes everywhere- there is no hope of slipping inappropriate rabbit cage usage by me! :nono:

Miss M... I can understand Zass needing to be educated on this, since she is "just" a member... but you! A Moderator! ...one who should be modeling appropriate rabbitiquette at all times!!!

The mind boggles. :storm-cloud:

Fear not, Zass, I will alert MaggieJ to this breach and see what disciplinary actions are recommended.

We may have to send Miss M to a re-education camp :injail: for a short period of time, which of course will mean more work for the rest of us... but it is a sacrifice I will willingly make so that Miss M will "feel better" soon. :angel:

 

[Marinea]

Okay, thank you so much, Marinea! I'll talk to my beloved Shay about it tomorrow, and we'll decide what to do. We were actually getting ready to get some chicks, and set them up in a plastic bin in the shed with a heat lamp and shavings.

We have a little rabbit hutch, very much like this one: http://www.petco.com/product/107901/WAR ... Hutch.aspx

If she persists in nesting, and we decide to try to help her hatch the eggs out, should we move her into the enclosed part of the hutch?

If she has room in the hutch to get off the nest to eat and poop and walk a bit, I would likely move her. It might be a bit warmer, and it would keep other hens from laying eggs in her nest. If you move her, I would do it at night- I have had better luck with nighttime moves.

If you decide not to move her, I would mark her eggs so you can remove any that get added as the time passes.

 

[MaggieJ]

I have to confess, we have also used rabbit cages for chickens on occasion... retired cages from our pre-colony days, but still! This pot can't call the kettle black. :lol:

When I have a broody hen, I sometimes "break her up" by caging her for a few days. Not letting her nest seems to help - and being surrounded by cool air settles down those hormones. In summer, I sometimes take her and dunk her bottomside in water and release her some distance from the henhouse. Again, cooling her down seems to put an end to the broodiness.

I have even heard of someone who replaced the hen's clutch with ice cubes! :twisted:

Raising chicks under a broody hen is wonderful... but there are times when it is very inconvenient -- such as in cold weather or when you have no rooster and so no fertile eggs.

 

[cmfarm]

I have had a few chickens act broody for a few days but then decide they are done. What breed of chicken is it?

 

[Miss M]

MSD has eyes everywhere- there is no hope of slipping inappropriate rabbit cage usage by me! :nono:

Miss M... I can understand Zass needing to be educated on this, since she is "just" a member... but you! A Moderator! ...one who should be modeling appropriate rabbitiquette at all times!!!

The mind boggles. :storm-cloud:

Fear not, Zass, I will alert MaggieJ to this breach and see what disciplinary actions are recommended.

We may have to send Miss M to a re-education camp :injail: for a short period of time, which of course will mean more work for the rest of us... but it is a sacrifice I will willingly make so that Miss M will "feel better" soon. :angel:

GAH!! No! I'll never succumb to your brainwashing tactics!

(Besides, since Maggie herself has confessed to the same thing, I am IMMUNE! :twisted: )

When I have a broody hen, I sometimes "break her up" by caging her for a few days. Not letting her nest seems to help - and being surrounded by cool air settles down those hormones. In summer, I sometimes take her and dunk her bottomside in water and release her some distance from the henhouse. Again, cooling her down seems to put an end to the broodiness.

I have even heard of someone who replaced the hen's clutch with ice cubes! :twisted:

Thank you for all the tips! :thankyou:

I have had a few chickens act broody for a few days but then decide they are done. What breed of chicken is it?

She's an Easter Egger.

THANK YOU ALL!

It looks like she changed her mind. She is not nesting today. Hopefully, that will be the end of it for a couple of months!

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I have to confess, we have also used rabbit cages for chickens on occasion... retired cages from our pre-colony days, but still! This pot can't call the kettle black. :lol:

Am I the only purist here?!? :fainting:
Oh, woe is me! verreaction:

The burden of appropriately filling rabbit cages with RABBITS and thereby setting a proper example of rabbit-obsessed behavior clearly falls to me and me alone!

Well... no matter... I am up to the task set before me. :flex:

 

[Zass]

I have to confess, we have also used rabbit cages for chickens on occasion... retired cages from our pre-colony days, but still! This pot can't call the kettle black. :lol:

Am I the only purist here?!? :fainting:
Oh, woe is me! verreaction:

The burden of appropriately filling rabbit cages with RABBITS and thereby setting a proper example of rabbit-obsessed behavior clearly falls to me and me alone!

Well... no matter... I am up to the task set before me. :flex:

Ah, does this mean I can get away with putting some quail in an extra rabbit cage? You know...since the other mods are OK with it and all... :twisted:

 

[MaggieJ]

I have to confess, we have also used rabbit cages for chickens on occasion... retired cages from our pre-colony days, but still! This pot can't call the kettle black. :lol:

Am I the only purist here?!? :fainting:
Oh, woe is me! verreaction:

The burden of appropriately filling rabbit cages with RABBITS and thereby setting a proper example of rabbit-obsessed behavior clearly falls to me and me alone!

Well... no matter... I am up to the task set before me. :flex:

We're counting on you, MSD!
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Ah, does this mean I can get away with putting some quail in an extra rabbit cage? You know...since the other mods are OK with it and all... :twisted:

AAARRRGGGHHH! No, no, no, no, NO!!! ZASS!!! :delete: :delete: :delete:

This is RabbitTalk! Not ChickenTalk, nor QuailTalk, nor... nor... AnyCritterYouCanStuffIntoARabbitCageTalk! ullhair:

Now see what has happened Miss M and Maggie?!? All of my hard work, UNDONE! :cryingbaby:

Now, repeat after me;

:writelines: I will not use my rabbit cages for anything other than rabbits. I will use only species-appropriate cages for my livestock. Rabbit cages are meant for rabbits alone. There are chicken coops for chickens, quail cages for quail, pig pens for pigs, and lonely cells for those needing re-education on the subject.

Ugh. I hope this will put an end to this nonsense. :evil:

Now... who do I know that is on medication for high blood pressure that is willing to share? :thinking:

 

[Celice]

I think quail and chickens have different temps and hatching days too!

I wouldn't let her set right now. chicks can chill EASY! I have 2 hens that are broody but I'm not doing anything about it, they can fuss over the 3 month olds in the pen anyway...they are in a chicken coop...YAY me!! LOL

 

[MaggieJ]

Ah, does this mean I can get away with putting some quail in an extra rabbit cage? You know...since the other mods are OK with it and all... :twisted:

AAARRRGGGHHH! No, no, no, no, NO!!! ZASS!!! :delete: :delete: :delete:

This is RabbitTalk! Not ChickenTalk, nor QuailTalk, nor... nor... AnyCritterYouCanStuffIntoARabbitCageTalk! ullhair:

Now see what has happened Miss M and Maggie?!? All of my hard work, UNDONE! :cryingbaby:

Now, repeat after me;

:writelines: I will not use my rabbit cages for anything other than rabbits. I will use only species-appropriate cages for my livestock. Rabbit cages are meant for rabbits alone. There are chicken coops for chickens, quail cages for quail, pig pens for pigs, and lonely cells for those needing re-education on the subject.

Ugh. I hope this will put an end to this nonsense. :evil:

Now... who do I know that is on medication for high blood pressure that is willing to share? :thinking:

I knew I should have kept my mouth shut and let Miss M take the rap.

BP medicine on the way, MSD. Of course, you may not want to use it, seeing as it is SUBSIDIZED by our "socialistic" prescription drug program for low income families. :twisted:

 

[MamaSheepdog]

they are in a chicken coop...YAY me!! LOL

Oh, BRAVO, Celice! way to model appropriate behavior! :clap2:

I knew I should have kept my mouth shut and let Miss M take the rap.

Yes, yes, you should have. Inappropriate cage usage should have been your dirty little secret. Just see how it has affected Zass? It is one thing for a lowly Mod to disregard the proprieties, but when an ADMIN does so, it just gives carte blanche to others here on the forum. *Sniff!*

BP medicine on the way, MSD.

Why thank you!

Of course, you may not want to use it, seeing as it is SUBSIDIZED by our "socialistic" prescription drug program for low income families. :twisted:

:hmm: Do you suppose that if I donate something needful to another less fortunate person (like, perhaps, a spare chicken pen to Miss M or quail cages to Zass?) that the non-government-induced-charity will cancel out the Socialism?

 

[Zass]

I have just the thing for your stress levels MSD!

:beer2:

:drunk:


My little coturnix quail have wintered nicely on the hay-littered sand floor of the rabbitry, no bunny cages necessary.

 

[the reluctant farmer]

Um, MSD, looks like you might have to single-handedly keep the bar raised throughout the entire virtual world. Look at this advertisement. Looks like they are actively encouraging people to use the hutch/coop in any willy-nilly, what-ever-species-have-you fashion possible.

Precision Pet Cape Cod Chicken Coop or Rabbit Hutch
Safe, secure two level large outdoor chicken coop or premium rabbit hutch
Includes nesting box with roosting bar

Constructed of sturdy fir wood
Complete with removable pan for easy cleaning
Easy assembly and maintenance

With that said, I don't ever use my cages for chickens.]I don't have any chickens.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I have just the thing for your stress levels MSD!

:beer2:

:drunk:

Oooh! Excellent suggestion! Especially since MaggieJ apparently didn't spring for the expedited shipping option, since my (er... her) medication has not yet arrived.

I hereby raise a glass (well, okay, a can) in your honor!

Um, MSD, looks like you might have to single-handedly keep the bar raised throughout the entire virtual world. Look at this advertisement.

Good heavens! Will it never end?!? :evil:

I wonder if Obamacare includes beer subsidies for those of us that prefer to self medicate with other than pharmaceutical drugs? :beer2:

If so, Socialism, here I come!

GASP!!! I didn't just say that, did I??? :delete: :delete: :delete: