Chook Update

Supposedly hens do not go broody in their first laying season, in winter, or when they have no eggs to sit on. Tell that to Clarissa. She took over a nesting box, refused to emerge, and rushed back to it whenever I hauled her out. I removed all the eggs from the box; she still sat there. She ignored treats to sit in that box. Clarissa is convinced she can hatch some chicks from thin air.

If it wasn't winter I'd be tempted to order some fertile eggs and let her try. But after repeatedly removing her did nothing, I hauled a giant chicken crate (a repurposed dog crate) into the run and have locked her in it with food and water. I'll let her out to roost at night. Supposedly doing this for three days de-broods them. (You don't want broody hens if you don't mean to hatch chicks, because they sit there without eating and it's bad for their health.)

Clarissa is very annoyed. The other hens are very thrilled at this new addition to their coop and have been perching on top of it.

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