Also, broodiness, while in Mother Nature's plan, is only part of the plan if eggs are consistently fertilized. The hen will keep sitting on her eggs far longer than the 21 days it takes them to hatch, if they never hatch...if she lives that long. Were eating eggs even in Mother Nature's plan? I think raising chickens to be healthy and happy is more humane than neglecting them by never wanting them to go through even 10 seconds of stress...even if in the long-term, it will cause far more.
It is my opinion that a ten second dunk in water is less stressful than a week-long quarantine period away from the flock...for both the broody hen and the flock. Everyone needs to think about the big picture here.
wow I did not know you could do that to break them of their broodiness , that looks like a good method . And no I don't think you threw the hen either ,
Wow, I can't believe all the mean things that have been said here. Obviously most people don't keep chickens. I have given mine warm baths to calm them when they have ailments or when they are messy and can't clean themselves. A quick dunk in some cool water in the summer isn't going to hurt the animal. Not everyone can afford to just let a broody brood to her hearts content. The poster was right to kick her out. With only one box the others would have soon started pecking her.
And she won't starve. Broodies come off the nest once or twice a day to eat, drink, poop and dust bathe; as needed. They do this quickly so you may not catch them at it. She may lose a bit of weight, but she is using far less energy so her food needs are less. Mother Nature knows best. :)
And yes, chickens dislike being in water--getting rained on isn't the same as going swimming so you can't really compare the two.
This is an old-time method of trying to break a brood, and while it doesn't HURT the hen, I think you could have done it a bit more gently, and set her on the ground rather than toss her. Perhaps that is what is upsetting people so. Once the hen has a wet bottom she will avoid the nest to keep from chilling the eggs. You can also toss a few ice cubes under her while she's on the nest--a bit less drastic and works just as well.
Do you idiots commenting about this not being humane even keep chickens? Broody hens often do not eat and risk killing themselves via starvation/dehydration. There is nothing wrong with trying to snap a hen out of broodiness, especially if shes only being kept as a layer.
If you want to go cry about something go find a video showing the commercial chicken farmers. That is inhumane and disgusting.
you are a cruel chicken owner, I hope when you decide it's your time to raise children someone throws cold water at you !
This has been scientifically proven to be an old wives tail, the same as the broody pen.
She is doing what her natural instincts tell her too and if you have no compassion or respect for the livestock that keeps you in eggs then dont keep them buy your eggs in a shop and spare those poor chickens your awful husbandry techniques,
@velvetmoonchild1 Ugh, they're keeping chickens for eggs, not for eating and pooping and laying in a box all day! If you have a broody hen having chicks and you dont have the means to separate the broody from the other chickens it is cruel to the chicks- they will get picked on by the others
@velvetmoonchild1: Yeah, chickens that lay eggs that are sold at the grocer sure are treated in more humane ways: In the state of California "free range" means the hen can turn around in her cage. I'm sure they live far better lives, free from stress. And the 24-hour light torture must keep them alert and happy.
chipman5 - well, that is not my experience, she was just sitting put for ages...not mentioning that in eglu there is only one nesting box and no space to place any food or water in front of her. This seemed like the least painful option and worked a treat. Also I keep hens for eggs, not for sitting and not laying for weeks.
if she wanted to go broody let her and put food and water in front of her and she wont starve. she wouldn't starve anyways cause she will find something to eat somewhere and she will get off of the nest every now and then to get something to eat and stretch anyways.
Hi emraldplec, she would sit on the nest for days and nights without leaving it. Trying to remove her from it resulted from loud complaining and swift return.
I did not I want to torture the chook. The point is to cool down her body temperature so she stops producing hormones which make her broody. Such hen then sits in her nest, does not eat or drink for days! So a little cold water was certainly more humane then letting her starve. She snapped out of it within a day (after 3 days spent on the nest!). Do not know anything about hens disliking water, mine walk outside in a hail storm happily (yes, I do have a roof for them too).
Also, broodiness, while in Mother Nature's plan, is only part of the plan if eggs are consistently fertilized. The hen will keep sitting on her eggs far longer than the 21 days it takes them to hatch, if they never hatch...if she lives that long. Were eating eggs even in Mother Nature's plan? I think raising chickens to be healthy and happy is more humane than neglecting them by never wanting them to go through even 10 seconds of stress...even if in the long-term, it will cause far more.
baffledseaturtle 5 months ago
It is my opinion that a ten second dunk in water is less stressful than a week-long quarantine period away from the flock...for both the broody hen and the flock. Everyone needs to think about the big picture here.
baffledseaturtle 5 months ago
Comment removed
baffledseaturtle 5 months ago
Comment removed
baffledseaturtle 5 months ago
get a rooster
shootjohny 6 months ago
wow I did not know you could do that to break them of their broodiness , that looks like a good method . And no I don't think you threw the hen either ,
God some people are retarded .
TheDystructo 7 months ago 2
Wow, I can't believe all the mean things that have been said here. Obviously most people don't keep chickens. I have given mine warm baths to calm them when they have ailments or when they are messy and can't clean themselves. A quick dunk in some cool water in the summer isn't going to hurt the animal. Not everyone can afford to just let a broody brood to her hearts content. The poster was right to kick her out. With only one box the others would have soon started pecking her.
BrittanyPage 11 months ago 5
And she won't starve. Broodies come off the nest once or twice a day to eat, drink, poop and dust bathe; as needed. They do this quickly so you may not catch them at it. She may lose a bit of weight, but she is using far less energy so her food needs are less. Mother Nature knows best. :)
And yes, chickens dislike being in water--getting rained on isn't the same as going swimming so you can't really compare the two.
VelvetSparrow1 1 year ago
This is an old-time method of trying to break a brood, and while it doesn't HURT the hen, I think you could have done it a bit more gently, and set her on the ground rather than toss her. Perhaps that is what is upsetting people so. Once the hen has a wet bottom she will avoid the nest to keep from chilling the eggs. You can also toss a few ice cubes under her while she's on the nest--a bit less drastic and works just as well.
VelvetSparrow1 1 year ago
Do you idiots commenting about this not being humane even keep chickens? Broody hens often do not eat and risk killing themselves via starvation/dehydration. There is nothing wrong with trying to snap a hen out of broodiness, especially if shes only being kept as a layer.
If you want to go cry about something go find a video showing the commercial chicken farmers. That is inhumane and disgusting.
bmw79 1 year ago
Not supposed to give them baths
haider22749 1 year ago
you are a cruel chicken owner, I hope when you decide it's your time to raise children someone throws cold water at you !
This has been scientifically proven to be an old wives tail, the same as the broody pen.
She is doing what her natural instincts tell her too and if you have no compassion or respect for the livestock that keeps you in eggs then dont keep them buy your eggs in a shop and spare those poor chickens your awful husbandry techniques,
shame on you
velvetmoonchild1 1 year ago
@velvetmoonchild1 Ugh, they're keeping chickens for eggs, not for eating and pooping and laying in a box all day! If you have a broody hen having chicks and you dont have the means to separate the broody from the other chickens it is cruel to the chicks- they will get picked on by the others
Fenwicky 10 months ago
@velvetmoonchild1: Yeah, chickens that lay eggs that are sold at the grocer sure are treated in more humane ways: In the state of California "free range" means the hen can turn around in her cage. I'm sure they live far better lives, free from stress. And the 24-hour light torture must keep them alert and happy.
baffledseaturtle 5 months ago
chipman5 - well, that is not my experience, she was just sitting put for ages...not mentioning that in eglu there is only one nesting box and no space to place any food or water in front of her. This seemed like the least painful option and worked a treat. Also I keep hens for eggs, not for sitting and not laying for weeks.
4ensica 1 year ago
Wow your nice trying to drown your hen.
if she wanted to go broody let her and put food and water in front of her and she wont starve. she wouldn't starve anyways cause she will find something to eat somewhere and she will get off of the nest every now and then to get something to eat and stretch anyways.
chipman5 1 year ago
Hi emraldplec, she would sit on the nest for days and nights without leaving it. Trying to remove her from it resulted from loud complaining and swift return.
4ensica 1 year ago
how do you know shes broody?
emraldplec 1 year ago
I did not I want to torture the chook. The point is to cool down her body temperature so she stops producing hormones which make her broody. Such hen then sits in her nest, does not eat or drink for days! So a little cold water was certainly more humane then letting her starve. She snapped out of it within a day (after 3 days spent on the nest!). Do not know anything about hens disliking water, mine walk outside in a hail storm happily (yes, I do have a roof for them too).
4ensica 2 years ago
thats really nasty you do realise that chickens are naturally cautious of water deeper than a few inches for a reason yeah?
princesslisa31 2 years ago
this is a common way to snap the broodiness out of a hen.
nothing wrong with it.
Cla900 2 years ago 12