What’s up with my broody not broody girl?

[z3lda3]

Hi! I’ve got a bantam Cochin Morticia, she’s a little over a year old. She’s been laying for about 4 months ish. She was broody and hatched a clutch 8 weeks ago. She’s eating perfectly, actually more than usual. Drinking, pooping, laying. But, her comb is a paler red than usual and she’s acting broody except she’s not staying on her nest. She’ll lay, scream for a bit and move on. She’s been VERY vocal screaming, and tidbitting constantly. And she’s one cranky girl. And it seems like she’s looking for something, I know that sounds crazy. She’ll come up to me screaming, run to the coop, back out, around the area..This has been going on for a few days. She has no injuries, not being bullied, no sickness, everything is just as it’s always been. There’s no predators/snakes hanging around. Her nesting boxes are the same. Her babies are “weaned” but they’re part of her flock, she’s sees them all the time. They aren’t separated or anything. Any ideas? Could she be getting ready to be broody again?

 

[Debbie292d]

Even my silkies don't go back to being broody that fast. Since it was her first hatch, maybe she's confused, she has no eggs to sit on or babies to care for. Is she on a layer feed or all-flock? Just making sure she's getting nutritious feed. Regardless, I'd give her or them all, some vitamins in their water, like Poultry Cell. She might be lacking in something from spending all that time raising chicks. I'd put that in their water every other day for a week and see if she's seeming better. That would give them all a good vitamin boost too.

 

[z3lda3]

Even my silkies don't go back to being broody that fast. Since it was her first hatch, maybe she's confused, she has no eggs to sit on or babies to care for. Is she on a layer feed or all-flock? Just making sure she's getting nutritious feed. Regardless, I'd give her or them all, some vitamins in their water, like Poultry Cell. She might be lacking in something from spending all that time raising chicks. I'd put that in their water every other day for a week and see if she's seeming better. That would give them all a good vitamin boost too.

They’re on layer feed, and I’ve been adding vitamins to their water for months. I checked on everyone tonight, and now she’s in her nesting box. I went to stroke her like every night, and I got the velociraptor scream. I’m really thinking she’s becoming broody again sigh. That seems sooo soon to me. Her babies are still babies. They’re just now learning to roost, still sleeping on floor at night. I don’t mind a few more chicks, but this can’t be healthy for her can it??

 

[Debbie292d]

They’re on layer feed, and I’ve been adding vitamins to their water for months. I checked on everyone tonight, and now she’s in her nesting box. I went to stroke her like every night, and I got the velociraptor scream. I’m really thinking she’s becoming broody again sigh. That seems sooo soon to me. Her babies are still babies. They’re just now learning to roost, still sleeping on floor at night. I don’t mind a few more chicks, but this can’t be healthy for her can it??

Well, she's been off the nest for 8 weeks, but I think she should want to have more time being a normal hen. Her hormones drive it though, so if she's going broody already, it's good that you've been giving her vitamins. She's probably in better health than most hens in the same situation.

 

[z3lda3]

Well, she's been off the nest for 8 weeks, but I think she should want to have more time being a normal hen. Her hormones drive it though, so if she's going broody already, it's good that you've been giving her vitamins. She's probably in better health than most hens in the same situation.

I would definitely think the same thing, she should enjoy freedom! As long as she’s healthy, I’m ok with it. The poor baby, guess she’s getting special treatment again for the next 21 days.

 

[ChookaPete]

Cook up some eggs, un-peel them, and mash them up. They will help boost her nutrition.

 

[z3lda3]

Cook up some eggs, un-peel them, and mash them up. They will help boost her nutrition.

I always make my broodies scrambled eggs with meal worms for breakfast. And cooked oatmeal with green beans for dinner. (Along with their regular feed of course) My husband said she wasn’t really broody, just faking so she could get special treatment

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I always make my broodies scrambled eggs with meal worms for breakfast. And cooked oatmeal with green beans for dinner. (Along with their regular feed of course) My husband said she wasn’t really broody, just faking so she could get special treatment

I think your husband is onto something…Pavlov’s chicken

 

[Mrs. K]

If you don’t want more chicks, break her. It might be better for her.

 

[z3lda3]

If you don’t want more chicks, break her. It might be better for her.

Sigh breaking a broody is so difficult, as you probably know. Do you have any tips on the best way to do that? I don’t mind a couple more chicks, but she was just broody. Sitting in a box for 21 days AGAIN doesn’t seem healthy. I just want the best for her.