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8:33 pm
3rd Grader
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Sun 19-Dec-10
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Hello all good folk of The Cottage Smallholder
May I be cheeky and ask a question from a third party? I am building an extension for a lovely lady who does not use the internet. She has a problem with one of her hens and doesn't know what to do......can you help?...here are her words
"Bantom-Silkie
Has been laying eggs about 2 months, each time clucking when laid an egg, and quite triumphant. For about a week..has been broody, sitting on her own egg in her communal setting of 4 chickens of mixed breeds, and now stays inside the hen-house quite reluctant to give up her eggs and is aggressive and pecks out when an egg is removed. ....what should I do? "
....Can you help
Terry
Honi soit qui mal y pense
….I'm still learning
10:54 pm
Supreme Being
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Tue 22-Sep-09
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Hi Terry
I had a bantam silkie, but she never went broody, I wish she had...anyway there are loads of tips on here already on stopping broodiness, but I can't remember any, maybe try doing a search. I think there was something about dipping thier bums in cool water or something
4:57 am
Supreme Being
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Mon 21-Sep-09
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Hi Terry,
Yes bantams seem to go broody more often than other hens so I suggest the owner needs to get hold of (or build) a special small cage for breaking her of the habit. This cage needs to have a wire mesh bottom as well as sides because you have to make the hen as uncomfortable & cool as possible (the opposite conditions to those she desires for hatching). So no cozy bedding, just water & food , put in a well ventilated, bright position. I make sure there is plenty of air underneath & the cage is where the hen can see all the other chicken having fun outside .....that way she will want to join them & the broodiness will be over.
Hope this helps. 
"The beautiful is as useful as the useful...perhaps more so."
from Les Miserables
5:46 pm
3rd Grader
New members
Sun 19-Dec-10
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Many thanks for your comments and I have passed on your comments. Nicki (my customer) is appreciative of the help ....and now has something to work on.....she is also going to register with Cottage Smallholder so she can follow the forum herself.
Again......many thanks
Terry
Honi soit qui mal y pense
….I'm still learning
9:51 pm
3rd Grader
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Sun 19-Dec-10
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Although this was a post from a third party.....I have visions that one day that I may be able to have a sort of smallholding myself and afford myself the luxury of all the hard work that goes into keeping domestic or other livestock in a self supportive lifestyle.
Hattie.....your comment "Yes bantams seem to go broody more often than other hens"....has had me diving into research on Google...I'm still none the wiser....please excuse my ignorance but what is the difference between a "bantom" and other egg laying hens?
Terry
Honi soit qui mal y pense
….I'm still learning
5:57 am
Supreme Being
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Mon 21-Sep-09
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Hi Terry,
A 'bantam' is a chicken who has been bred over generations to be much smaller than it's ancestors. The bantam hens lay much smaller eggs, which I find are tastier.
"The beautiful is as useful as the useful...perhaps more so."
from Les Miserables
2:23 pm
Sat 12-Aug-06
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Terry, maybe too late, but this is what Fiona made for our broody bantams.
It may take 2 to 4 days of constant confinement to cure the broodiness. The chook's comb will change colour when it's over. I can't remember whether it's from pale pink to red or the other way around.
Never knowingly underfed
7:05 pm
3rd Grader
New members
Sun 19-Dec-10
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Hattie.....one post has saved me many hours of research....thanks
Danny......not too late at all and I shall pass on your link....for someone who doesn't know a lot about hens, I am finding this thread quite fascinating.
I do hope Nicky (my customer) will take heed of your advice soon as I have to put on a gauntlet every day to gently lift her off her own......and the other hens eggs which she sits on and guards with her life.....(for a sweet little Bantom Silkie...she can be quite vicious !!!
....Shall keep you informed on our progress
Terry
Honi soit qui mal y pense
….I'm still learning
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