Lucy is a 2-year-old Black Australorp and she is rocking a serious molt. And if that wasn’t enough, she is also broody, which is why she’s in the Bitter Barn. It is not easy to fluff up one’s neck and tail feathers when said feathers consist of two. Or maybe three. I’d say she’s a sweetheart, but that would be a lie. She’s a screaming, squawking broody girl.
And I love her! There’s something inspiring about a chicken with a naked neck and a bare behind who is confident enough to fluff herself up and scare the roosters.
Good For the Corn 
My Buff Orpington Lady of the Perpetual Brood (she just raised a chick and immediately went back to brooding with the poor two-month-old sticking by her side) pecked me viciously this morning when I tried to clean up the nesting area. I have been hoping she might go into a molt that would perhaps snap her out of brooding, but I guess that’s not what happens?
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Lucy is in the Bitter Barn because she’s broody. The Bitter Barn is a dog kennel surrounded by a frame covered with 1/2″ hardware cloth on all four sides to keep her safe from predators. She has food and water. You’ll see that there is no nest and no nesting material. That helps break the broodiness cycle. The floor is open. It’s all about air flow to cool down the broody girl. See the fan in the background? More cooling. Most broody girls break after 3 or so days in the Bitter Barn. My sweet Buff Orpingtons, however, sometimes take 8-10 days. And you’re right. A molt doesn’t break a broody.
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Looooocy! A feather (gawk!) boa would be just the thing to accompany a dramatic hissy fit. You go, girl!
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Her first time being broody, doing it up right!
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