She did WHAT??????

[Nicos]

Hmmphh.....well , I must say that I've learned quite a bit about chook care from my local farmer's wife ( although have adapted some things to be a bit more caring for the chooks.....)
And so..... having been left in her care for 10 days I returned to 9 healthy chooks and was pleased that all was fine.
UNTIL...we had a quick chat....

apparently one of the gals had gone broody and "as it's too early in the year to sit on eggs" she decided to stop her.
Nope- none of the dunking in cold water or sin binning her ...nope..no messing around- she did the time honoured/proved method of putting her in a box with no light, food or water ...for 4 DAYS
..said it always does the trick!...I bet it does!...poor little thing!!!!
I'd have thought she'd have been dead with no water for 4 days!
Ah well....don't think that'll be happening again with my chooks

[Daz]

That is just so wrong, someone should stick her in a box for 4 days.

[Nicos]

That is just so wrong, someone should stick her in a box for 4 days.

My first thoughts Daz! ( well second actually after I recovered the power of speech)

[zazen999]

Erm I don't keep chickens and know nowt about them but WTF!!!

[marathon]

poor chicken I bet she wouldn't leave all her chickens and go on holiday for 4 days without leaving them without feed and water which amounts to the same thing.


I'm sure with your love and care you lovely ladies will overcome the shock, poor little things

[Snadger]

Did it work?

[Nicos]

Did it work?

yup!

[Flummery]

Bet she was STARVING poor little thing. Not to mention dehydrated. Gosh!

[Scunny Zeb]

Did it work?

yup!

As foreign farmers,they obviously dont have the same sentimentality about animals that certain english people have.

To them its probably the accepted way of dealing with the problem.

[SarzWix]

Zeb, there is a huge difference between unsentimentality and cruelty. In our country, quite rightly, this would be classed cruelty. Keeping the broody contained is, I believe, accepted practice to break the broody cycle, but the withdrawal of food and water, especially water, is patently wrong.

Hope she's recovered ok Nicos, poor thing!

[Nicos]

As foreign farmers,they obviously dont have the same sentimentality about animals that certain english people have.

To them its probably the accepted way of dealing with the problem.

Hmm..that's what I was thinking- so I can't get cross with her, I'll just make sure I have an alternative method for next time

She's been a fantastic help with them over the last year so I'm still very humbled to her knowledge!

As you say- it's clearly a method which works but I'd NEVER suggest anyone tries it - I bet the RSPCA would have a thing or two to say about it too if we were in England!

[HayleyB]

Did you slap her?

[Scunny Zeb]

Zeb, there is a huge difference between unsentimentality and cruelty. In our country, quite rightly, this would be classed cruelty. Keeping the broody contained is, I believe, accepted practice to break the broody cycle, but the withdrawal of food and water, especially water, is patently wrong.

Hope she's recovered ok Nicos, poor thing!

Dont get me wrong.. I wasn't agree'ing with it, just pointing out that it is probably the done thing over there.

[ginger ninger]

That's disgusting not to mention cruel and a blatant disregard for the trust you put in her, I'd have been livid.
I don't keep chooks, but even I know that is SOOO wrong, I hope you didn't spoil your manners Nicos , lots of T.L.C for the poor chook, with luck she'll soon recover from this terrible ordeal.

NASTY NASTY neighbour????

[Nicos]

Did you slap her?

nope...I've got to make an effort to fit in...I've only been domicile here since Tuesday!!!!

Looks like one of the others has gone broody this morning- so I've just blocked access to the nesting boxes, so we'll have to hunt round for the eggs for the next few days!

They can be quite determined though can't they...last time one of the gals managed to rip off the chicken wire and squeeze trough a tiny gap to get in to the box just to fluff up and sit on nothing!
From the noise going on outside it sounds like one of them has laid!