I have a very unconventional method of breaking broody hens. I have several coops of different breeds who are all very familiar with each other. Usually I can place a broody hen in a new coop, and the excitement of being in a new place with other hens, usually breaks the brood. I keep the broody in there for a couple of days, and then place her back where she belongs.
All of the chickens have been raised together from hatch so they are very familiar and friendly with each other. But in this case for some reason, before I knew it, the other hens had pulled out all of the broody hens head feathers. She looked like she was so uncomfortable and her head was all raw. I did not have any "blu kote" so I doctored her with bacitracin and put her in a very quiet place to heal.
This little KID has been missing his two sisters who left two days ago. On top of that, he is also being weaned from his mama. Have you ever heard a baby goat cry? OMG he sounds like a really sad baby. He gets to free range with his mom for a couple hours after she has been milked out, so I placed the bald ex-broody in the Kids empty little yard. She was so happy and relaxed and the KID, Jeffery Charles aka "STAR" is not so lonely any more!
That's really sweet. They kind of need each other. :)
ReplyDeletePrecious!!! I just found your blog thru Beth... I found her blog thru BYC!! Such fun I'm having tonight!!! I'm adding you to my blogroll!!! You can find me at www.fruittreehillhannibal.blogspot.com :) Love, JL~
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