How to Break a Broody Hen

Somebody was kind enough to take in the endlessly broody I had before I got to try it out. Next time...

Aha ok i am dying for a broody, i have got fertile eggs, and an incubator but i would like to habe some undera broody for comparison but no ahahah

ShaneandAsh said:

I have a few questions I would like to ask the trusty Backyard Chickens community :

1) Will being in the broody breaker for a prolonged period of time injure the hens' feet? My boyfriend was actually very reluctant to put them back in for round 2 as he's worried their feet will get sore from standing on the wire but I told him we have to be firm as it will only get worse the longer we wait!

2) In relation to the above, we've put a roost up if they do start to feel sore and would like some relief (especially at night) however they are not remotely interested in it. In fact, they are basically just in the broody position on the cage floor. Will this affect their belly getting cooled? Do they have to stand for it to work?

3) We only have the one cage and it's just about enough space for the 2 hardcore broodies however we are starting to get concerned that the "practice broodies" should be going in to a broody breaker soon too. Do you think we can afford to get the hardcore broodies sorted first and then swap the hens out or should we start thinking about getting the practice ones sorted too?

4) How many more days do you think we should keep these hardcore broodies in for? I've gathered from research and from our brief prior experience using the broody breaker that it is a good indication they are normal again once they stop fluffing up and instead of just sitting, they look like they want to leave the cage - is this correct? And of course, if they lay an egg?

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1) I wouldn't put my girls in that cage for even 1 minute, I think it would be considered chicken abuse. Make a floor with 1/2" hardware cloth. They can stand on it comfortably.
2) I doubt they would sit on a roost if they are broody, but it wouldn't hurt to have it in there.
3) From my experience, finish the job or don't bother to start. They aren't over it until they are OVER it.
4) As long as it takes. I've found that they break faster in cool/cold temps (a day or 3) than they do in the summer (5 or more ) not surprising given the theory that they break if they can't keep warm underneath. I let them out in the morning to do their business and see if they are "fixed". Soon as they head to the nest, back in the box until the next morning. I can usually tell if they are in for another day just by how they act when they get out. If they really, REALLY want out, the hormones are running their brains and the nest is the only thing on their minds. Quick poop (really stinky broody poop ) maybe some BOSS (which they all get every morning because they are spoiled) then WHAM, back to the nest. And I can tell if they are going broody because anyone in the nest when I go down in the morning gets "BOSS in bed" (because they are SPOILED, though not pets, plus they should not miss out on the treats, they are WORKING!). If they just mash down and don't want to eat, broody time. If they are in there to lay an egg, they'll eat the BOSS.

I know if they are solidly broody when they not only scream at the other girls approaching the nest (because they mostly don't like to share) but at me as well. Egg laying can take quite a while so I don't want to shove a girl in the buster unless I am sure.

gigelus2k13 said:

I was wondering if the following method would work in case you have a very stubborn case of broodiness. Take a small enclosure with waterproof bottom, fill the bottom with water 1 to 2" high, then put the broody in. It will be unpleasant to her to sit down and encourage her to stand up., as all "working" hens do.

It may sound a little extreme, but it's likely less so than leaving the hen out in freezing temps or keep her all day long in a wire-bottomed cage, which could stress her feet.

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And how long do you think the girl should be soaking in the tub? They aren't ducks, I'm not sure I would subject mine to having to sit or stand in water.

For peoples' planning purposes:
Were I to build my box again (big enough for 3 because that fit the wood I had) I would make it a "double" with 2 doors and a space between them for the food and water accessible from both sides. It is rather difficult to get 2 birds in a cage when they DO NOT want to be put in. Maybe OK with help but by yourself, it is hard to keep bird 1 in when you open the door to put in the second. And if you don't want to let them out, it is hard to get the food and water "dishes" out for refilling without losing the broody(ies).

Bruce

gigelus2k13 said:

I was wondering if the following method would work in case you have a very stubborn case of broodiness. Take a small enclosure with waterproof bottom, fill the bottom with water 1 to 2" high, then put the broody in. It will be unpleasant to her to sit down and encourage her to stand up., as all "working" hens do.

It may sound a little extreme, but it's likely less so than leaving the hen out in freezing temps or keep her all day long in a wire-bottomed cage, which could stress her feet.

Click to expand...

I am going to pick up some frizzle cochin chicks tomorrow and I have read that they are prone to going broody. This has prompted me to research and have a plan before it may happen with my girls when they are older. In my nesting boxes I have plastic dish washing tubs that line them and I wondered if a broody seemed to go back to the same nest repeatedly could I fill the tub with an inch or two of water to discourage her or would she just pick a different straw filled box?

Just to let u know i have had my 3duck eggs in for about 29 hours now and although i knew i wouldn't see anything, i had to candle them lol of course i did t but i hate waiting for them to hatch haha i just love the little fuzz balls

My broody silver Phoenix started up about 5 days ago. She is my first broody, my small flock of 4 is almost 1 year old and I was hoping just taking her off the nest would help but no. She is still docile even when I took the eggs, but the others now hate her, beat her up if she is near. She won't eat or drink unless I am standing there. And she is getting thin. So I put her in a dog kennel. But at night she has to back into the coop with the others. The are sleepy so don't fight, but in the morning I'll pen her again. Will they be friends again? We only have 2 nests and of course only use one, so the others have to push her out to lay every day. I think that is why they are fighting. Any thoughts?

I put my phoenix in a kennel with only gravel and wire on the bottom. She mostly perches and is eating and drinking well. I've had her confined for two days, and each day I try to see if she is feeling less broody, but even with treats on the ground, she still runs for the nest. Guess she stays in the box! The nice thing is the other three hang around her kennel, so I guess they are still friends after all.

I have tried every advice on this forum for the past 2 months, with no avail.
the first 3 weeks of one gone broody, the second started, now i have 2 broodies.
They would take the food and water bowls up under them like eggs! Today they
kicked out another chicks egg - thats a first.
About ready to trade them both in.... unless I missed something.
Done the hanging cage for weeks; seperated them; fan blowing under them;
wetted the food; let them roam most of the day (which they just dug a hole and
sat in);.....everything short of letting the hawks/cats/etc. take off with them.
Any more sugestions????

molinda said:

I have tried every advice on this forum for the past 2 months, with no avail. the first 3 weeks of one gone broody, the second started, now i have 2 broodies. They would take the food and water bowls up under them like eggs! Today they kicked out another chicks egg - thats a first. About ready to trade them both in.... unless I missed something. Done the hanging cage for weeks; seperated them; fan blowing under them; wetted the food; let them roam most of the day (which they just dug a hole and sat in);.....everything short of letting the hawks/cats/etc. take off with them. Any more sugestions????

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I haven't gone back and read all the posts here, but have you thought about just giving them fertile eggs to hatch?

In my area, we are only allowed 4 Chickens, No Roosters....
so hatching an egg is not an option, unfortunately.