Kanthaka
06-05-2010, 04:02 PM
One of my two hens has gone broody! Once I realized that was what was happening and she was not sick I tried to find out what to do with her. The internet yielded some interesting but often conflicting information so I decided to post my questions about broodiness here because Fred is awesome and has the best straight answers to all my chicken questions.
Firstly I was wondering if it is cruel to "break" a broody? I locked her out of the nestbox but it's kinda sad to see her pacing, clucking and wanting to go back in. And what if she has to lay? One of the online articles said that broody hens do not lay. Is that true?
It would be wonderful to raise some baby chicks but I'm in the city and that is not an option. Any other suggestions on how to stop the broodiness with minimal stress to her ... and me?!
Karen from The Erie, PA Poultry Underground
Firstly I was wondering if it is cruel to "break" a broody? I locked her out of the nestbox but it's kinda sad to see her pacing, clucking and wanting to go back in. And what if she has to lay? One of the online articles said that broody hens do not lay. Is that true?
It would be wonderful to raise some baby chicks but I'm in the city and that is not an option. Any other suggestions on how to stop the broodiness with minimal stress to her ... and me?!
Karen from The Erie, PA Poultry Underground