I had a BO who went broody every four weeks. She did this 8 times. Every month we had to put her in the broody breaker. Some BO's just are determined to be a mama.
I know this isn't how most people recommend. But I wanted to add my two cents worth.
I use a wire dog crate in the garage. I leave in the plastic bottom and lay down a lining of paper towels or something to catch the "boom-boom" and I put in a big wooden block for her to perch on. I have...
I'd recommend the wire cage technique if you are not going to let her raise babies.
My BO has gone broody 5 times this year. She's just about due to go again but she's just started to molt so I'm REALLY hoping she can't do both at the same time and takes a break from bring broody.
I'm...
OMG, my BO has gone broody for the 7th time this year. God help me.
And the other BO hate it when she goes broody and bully's her and I can tell they tussled today because the bully BO has bite marks out of her comb and wattles.
Oh, I'm so glad. My BO who's gone broody each month over the entire summer is starting to molt so I'm hoping that deters her from trying to go again. Although, looking at all the photos people are posting of these adorable baby chicks, it's making me wonder if I shouldn't brood some. Hmmm.....
My vet HIGHLY discouraged me from using this technique on this bird due to her size. She's 8lbs and prone to foot issues. And it doesn't seem to break her any faster with the crate on it's side and up on blocks vs. just sitting normal. So I go w/ the normal way. But as with all things...
I've only had one hen go broody and so I can only speak to how I've successfully broken her.
I can usually tell that she's going to go broody about a week before she's fully broody. No point in rushing her. Just frustrates her so I wait till she's fully broody. Then I wait till night when...
You'll probably need to keep her in her broody buster for 3-4 days. That's how long mine takes.
I just put my BO back in it this afternoon. Her third time going broody in 9 weeks. UGH!!! If she goes broody again in the next month, I'm going to just give up and let her raise some young and...
YEA. Congrats. I really do like the cage method. Breaks my heart to see them caged like that but I've found it to be the fastest and easiest way to break them.
And it gets easier the next time and the next time. You'll start to recognize the signs that she's going broody and pull the cage...
I've never tried the ice method. But read about it so I know people do it.
For me, just keeping the hen OUT of her nest was the best way to break my broodies. I have two small chicken coops and for a while, my broody was the only one that laid in one coop. So I just closed up that coop and...
Let her do her thing AND read the postings here. I'd separate her to keep her and her newly hatched chicks safe from the other hens. Baby chicks also need baby chick food and you probably don't want your other hens eating it. ESPECIALLY if you buy medicated chick starter. So yes, read up on...
Hmmm, if she got up that easily, she probably wasn't broody. Was she sleeping in the nest box? That's usually a tell-tailed sign that a hen is broody. In addition to the defending the nest like there's no tomorrow, growing and pecking.
Now she might have just been ready to get up for a...
Noooo, She won't just snap out of it after 21 days unless she actually hatches eggs. Then she goes from protective broody to full blown mama hen. Some get over it in about a month, some will sit and be broody for months and months. It can really take a toll on them. So if you don't have...
For whatever it's worth, I put her in a dog crate w/ the hard plastic side down. My BO is 8 lbs and I just can't bring myself to let her stand on a wire floor for 3-4 days. And it breaks her just fine.
I've found really, just keeping her out of the nests will break her. The first few...
Yea, a cage is really the best method. I ended up buying a dog crate and I will say it's come in handy on many occasions. I've seen them at resale shops for pretty cheep or try Craig's list for an inexpensive one. Some even fold up flat for easy storage. But if you have chickens, you may...
Oh, please don't dunk them in cold water. You could kill her from fright and the shock of the cold water.
Breaking a broody is a process. Typically, takes 3-4 days. Some take a tad longer. I've been able to break mine in 3 days four nights in a broody breaker. It's really much more humane.
Okay, I'm no expert and still learning. But she does sound broody.
My BO was showing signs of being broody and I waited until she was sleeping in a next before I pulled her out and put her in the broody breaker pen. I put her in there Monday night. Tuesday she was fine. Wednesday morning I...