Help me stop broody behavior!!!

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3harners

3harners

In the Brooder
6 Years
Apr 2, 2013
7
2
11
My Black Silkie has become broody. We have a Roo, and I know he has been busy (we've seen him!) BUT we dont want/ need anymore chickens. I have read about the "broody cage" method and dunking them in cold water. What do you recommend? We keep removing her from the nesting box, she will stay out and free range for a bit, then head right back in. She has also stopped laying, she was laying an egg a day, but hasnt laid one in 3 days since this behavior started several days ago. Please advise what is the most humane, effective way! Thanks in advance!
barnie.gif
 
A wire cage, put up on blocks for air flow underneath. Give her food and water but NO nesting material. She's going to be stubborn since she's a silkie and they are a very broody breed. After a week, you can let her out and see if she still tries to sit.
 
Thank you! We have a cage, BUT my next question is do you leave her in her cage NEAR the flock in the pen, or remove her completely like in "solitary" confinement? Thanks for your help!
 
I've always left my Broody hen in her broody cage in with the flock. In the coop and pen.
 
I place a broody in a wire cage, in the run near the coop, I put her in for at least 5 days. I have read some keep them in the cage until an egg appears.
Good luck
I have a bantam (or at least part) EE, she hides her nest and I have 10 days to find it, or she sets down on her eggs. I moved her to a run with no nest hiding places left and she has started using a nest box.
 
3harners said:
Thank you! We have a cage, BUT my next question is do you leave her in her cage NEAR the flock in the pen, or remove her completely like in "solitary" confinement? Thanks for your help!
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With the flock. Make sure she has shade if you put her outside, and make sure she is safe at night from critters.
 
I am having a broody chicken issue, too. I just put her in cold water for about 5 minutes, then put her back in the pen, but blocked off the coop and nesting box.
She went over and drank quite a bit of water, then started scratching around. Last I checked, she was giving herself a dust bath. How often should I try the cold water bath? BTW we have only girls so the eggs would have never hatched for her.
 
Do not worry too much about the broodiness. They do not stay broody forever, so just give her some time. Another good thing to do is put her in a chicken tractor with food and water, but no nesting boxes. If your hen is more independent, than I would say to leave her by herself but if she is not then put one or two hens in with her :). Hope I helped.
 
buffyfluffy said:
Do not worry too much about the broodiness. They do not stay broody forever, so just give her some time. Another good thing to do is put her in a chicken tractor with food and water, but no nesting boxes. If your hen is more independent, than I would say to leave her by herself but if she is not then put one or two hens in with her
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. Hope I helped.
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I have some hens that have been broody for about 3 months. How long until they will stop on their own? I don’t want any more chicks but I am thinking of letting them hatch out one each just to get them to stop. I am getting worried about their health.
 

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