6 month old broody, flock newbie, have questions

[azygous]

Try draping a blanket over the cage at night. It will give her a feeling of security and she'll calm down.

 

[Little Coop on Salt Creek]

Do those fold up for storage?
They look nice, small mesh on bottom already there?

Yeah, they don't like it, but be strong-don't give in!
Yes, they should spend the night....but I've found that after a couple days they head to the roost instead of nest after daily constitutional, they are done brooding.

@aart, that bigger one was marked as a rabbit cage. I suppose you could fold it back down to flat.. it has clips on it that lock the sides all into place. I will most likely just put it in our “chicken shed” that my husband so sweetly gave up for all our amassing chicken gear, as is. That way I don’t wear out the clips. It did come with the smaller wire already in place on the bottom, so that was definately a blessing. I could put it to use right away. I bought it at our local TSC.

 

[aart]

@aart, that bigger one was marked as a rabbit cage. I suppose you could fold it back down to flat.. it has clips on it that lock the sides all into place. I will most likely just put it in our “chicken shed” that my husband so sweetly gave up for all our amassing chicken gear, as is. That way I don’t wear out the clips. It did come with the smaller wire already in place on the bottom, so that was definately a blessing. I could put it to use right away. I bought it at our local TSC.

Ah....I'd give up 'fast' for fold up storage capabilities....but understand your dilemma.

I kind of think that the fit they throw when put in the crate is a good start to 'breaking their broody'.

 

[Little Coop on Salt Creek]

Well, all my worrying was for not! She is seeming more herself this morning; I even witnessed her eating some. I’ll let her out later this morning for a stretch and see how it goes. Thanking all of you lovely people for your helpfulness. I really This community.

 

[Little Coop on Salt Creek]

This is the smaller crate I put Snowball in today. It doesn’t give much room for her to roam, but is much better on the space factor in the coop. Do you think she has enough space, @azygous , @aart , @oldhenlikesdogs

I put a blanket over the crate tonight and that worked so well! No crazy, freaking out little fuzz ball.

Also, when she is done being broody is there a “general” guideline for when she should resume laying?

 

[azygous]

The small crate won't cramp her style. Not to worry. Broodies are not inclined to need a lot of elbow room.

Glad the blanket worked. It's chicken psychology. They need cover, especially at night, to feel secure.

She could resume laying in a couple weeks. Depends on her. Depends on the light factor, too. If the days are too short, she may not resume right away unless you are supplementing light.

 

[aart]

Looks good!
Azygous covered your questions well.

Never seen a crate with a second door on the top,
might be handy for tending feed/water.

 

[Little Coop on Salt Creek]

Thanks a bunch you guys! Well, I hope between our crop debacle and our broody gal, we now have enough spare crates to handle what comes our way, lol!

That blanket trick was amazing, she was still hunkered down when I went to go check on her this morning and the lights had been on for 2 hours already.

Good to know about the resume of her laying, it took Elsa about the same time to lay after her crop was all better.

I’m glad I was able to find crates that worked on pretty short notice. Aart, I would have gladly traded smaller, already in place bottom wire for the top door on that crate!

 

[aart]

Aart, I would have gladly traded smaller, already in place bottom wire for the top door on that crate!

Indeed!
I'd swap out the HC you added for 1x2 cage wire once the inhabitant has vacated,
will be much easier to clean.

Like the ones with a second door on the side, can make it much easier to grab a bird out of the 24"L x 18"W x 21"H.
What are the dimensions of that smaller crate?

 

[Little Coop on Salt Creek]

What are the dimensions of that smaller crate?

The dimensions of the smaller crate:
19Lx12Wx14H
A benefit to the top door.. ease of getting her water in and out without dumping it