TIL a new way to handle broody hens after a trip to the feed store in Bellingham

I was at the Wilco in Bellingham last week, grabbing some scratch grains, and got talking to the older guy behind the counter. He saw my cart and just asked, 'Got a broody one?' I said yeah, my Speckled Sussex had been parked on empty nest boxes for over a week. He told me to skip the usual 'break the broody' methods I'd been using, like putting her in a wire cage. Instead, he said to just block off the nest boxes completely at night after she roosts, and put a bag of frozen peas right in the spot she likes to sit during the day. I tried it. Took the nest boxes out, and in the morning I put a zip-top bag of frozen peas in the corner. She hopped up, poked at the cold bag for a minute, and just walked off clucking. By that afternoon, she was back out scratching with the flock. It was so simple and didn't stress her at all. Has anyone else tried something like this, or have other gentle tricks for a stubborn broody?

3 comments

3 Comments

gibson.oliver26d ago

Frozen peas, the universal poultry chill pill.

-1

faithg2625d ago

That frozen pea trick @gibson.oliver mentioned is weirdly useful for more than just chickens. It works on sprained ankles for people too, since the bag molds to the shape. The real trick is using them for a quick pasta sauce. Just thaw some peas, mash them with garlic and olive oil, and toss it with hot noodles. It's a cheap, fast meal that feels fancier than it is.

lewis.drew2d ago

Seems like a lot of fuss over a bag of peas...