Re: Broody Hens

Mark Cable <markacable@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I have 3 Bovans Nera in a Forsham Cottage ark. Up until a couple of days ago
> I had 3 eggs per day. Now one of the birds has gone broody. Unfortunatly she
> is always the first to lay, so she goes up to the nest box, lays and just
> sits there. This means that the other two are left out in the cold as it
> were. Whenever I can, I push her out of the nest box (she gets pretty
> agressive when being moved) and close the little doorway. However this means
> that the other two can't enter. Any idea how to stop this behavior? Or any
> other tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks



If you keep hens only, the eggs are infertile. Letting your hen sit on
the nest therefore makes no sense. You have two options now:

- take her out of the ark, put her in a separate box with sufficient
ventilation and a nice nest on the floor, and get some fertile eggs for
her to hatch. Take her out once a day to feed, drink and poop and put
her back on the nest.

- take her out of the ark, put her in a wire cage with no nesting
material on the floor, with plenty of light and fresh air, give her food
and water but don't let her out until she stops being broody.


HTH

Nuele (D)
.

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