Day 2 in the sin bin

[frias]

We're coming to the end of day 2 in the sin bin for my broody. I put her in it for 4 days last year but let her sleep in the coop at night as I didn't have a secure run and I gave in before she did. In the end after 3/4 weeks she got back to normal. Since then she has been broody again but I just turfed her off the nest and she has returned to normal eventually. Unfortunately can't do that this time as she attacks the 3 new ex-batts horribly and I want them to settle in. So we are back to the sin bin. She has water and food and the cage is on bricks to allow air to circulate under her. I now have a secure run so can leave her in the cage at night. (Didn't stop me getting up in the night to check her though.) How long does the sin bin usually take to work?

[Suechooks]

Haven't ever had to try it but from what others say its usually 3-4 days I think.

[CoraxAurata]

Depends on the age and breed and temprament of the chook... 3-4 days sounds about right for a normal hen but a week or so is definately possible with a real stubborn cluckker!

[frias]

She's an ex-batt, about 3 years old and very clucky! When I shut her out of the nest box she runs around clucking all the time. I would have continued with this but she's tried to kill the new girls. Not just pecking but flying at them with both feet then pinning them down and getting very nasty. When she's not broody she's lovely. This is her fifth time broody in just over a year. OMG a week?

[RichmondHens]

Yep - she may be a real clucky one. Just persevere with her. She'll get bored eventually.

[frias]

Well the sin bin worked and she has been let out today and no longer clucking or wanting to go to the nest box. Unfortunately she's still being horrible to the newbies and now they are terrified to come out of the run and cowered in a corner. DH decided to make a broody pen yesterday in case this happens again and I feel temped to get her some eggs. In the end I had to put her in it, along with another one of the oldies who has joined in the bullying. The third oldie is being lovely to the new girls although her loyalty is being tested as she's not sure if she should stay by her 2 old friends or be with the new girls.

[MaureenHall]

They're just like naughty kids aren't they

[matthew2riches]

I had a broody that I hung up in a cage in the shed where everytime she moved the cage rocked. She was in there for 4 days.

She was never broody again!

[HayleyB]

Gawd Matt wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of you

[frias]

They're just like naughty kids aren't they

You're so right. All 6 slept together but this morning all hell broke loose again. Result is, 2 naughties are on the naughty step (broody pen) and the 3 new girls plus I oldie are free ranging. My hope is that I can introduce the 2 back to the flock in a few days and they will be the 'new' girls.
Maureen, you're no longer alone without eggs. My new girls were laying well but all the stress of being bullied has stopped them laying.