broody chicken

[slinkycat]

One of my chickens has been broody for 6 or 7 weeks, she finally snapped out of it yesterday:-) Although she has lost quite a lot of weight, which is to be expected, she is lively and active. However, her comb seems to have shrunk and gone back to the pale pink colour that it was before she came into lay earlier this year. Is this normal, and how soon can I expect her to start laying again? Also she seems to have lost her place in the pecking order that had previously been established with the other 4 hens,she has a go at them and they exclude her, poor thing! Any advice? Thanks

[wildwood]

That is a long time slinky. No wonder she is looking a bit dilapidated. Incubating is a strenuous job and in 6 weeks of virtual immobility it is understandable that she'll loose a lot of muscle toning. Providing there is nothing else wrong with her, she'll soon gain some weight and regain her rightful place.

[Kleiber]

I agree with wildwood. Obviously you didn't have any eggs for her to incubate. She will be a bit out of condition now, but give her some Poultry Spice in with her food, some fresh greens (for iron) or let her free range on grass (you don't say whether they are free range or not).
None of my girls are laying at the moment - the weather's just putting them off. I've got two hens, who have been broody - one of whom now has 2, 12 week old chicks and came back in to lay when the little ones were about 4 weeks old, but has now stopped laying again. The other has got very young chicks. Expect yours to come back into lay in a week or two, depending on the weather. remember, though, at this time of year, a lot of hens go into moult and won't lay. Even mine who haven't been broody aren't laying - several are in moult and, like I said, the weather has affected the rest. Just be patient with your lass, she'll start again soon. Good luck. K

[slinkycat]

Thanks both for your answers. Yes Kleiber they are free range, they have the run of the garden every day, doesn't do the plants much good, but hey, you can't expect such delicious eggs without some sacrifice!
Would have liked to get her some eggs to hatch, but not sure what I'd have done if I'd ended up with male chicks, I'm too much of a softy to raise them for the table, and its a town garden so not suitable for keeping cockerels!
By the way, haven't come across poultry spice before, I'll look out for it.

[Kleiber]

Hi, slinkycat - how's the girl?
Poultry Spice is a sort of powder that comes in a small, yellow, cardboard drum - you can get it from agricultural suppliers or maybe pet shops. You just put the recommended amount in with their feed - it also is very good for helping birds get through their moult. There's also a product called "Battles Poultry Drink" (I think that's what it's called, anyway) and you add a few drops to their drinking water - it does the same job. K x

[slinkycat]

Hi Kleiber, she's a lot perkier thanks :-) she spent all day in the garden with the others, but she's still using the nesting box to roost in, think she probably got kicked off the perch the other night so has gone back to where she feels safe!
I'll pop to our local poultry supply shop at the weekend and have a look for those products, thanks for the advice, slinky