Breaking a broody hen? I cant let her hatch eggs.

[PoppySeedy]

My hens been broody for I think about a week now and I've been shutting her out of the coop around midday after my other hens have laid. Shutting her out hasn't broken her broodiness yet and since she seems really persistent I'm worried about her not giving up on her own accord? Any tips?

 

[nuthatched]

Put her in a dog kennel with a wire bottom to cool off. Some breeds are more stubborn than others

 

[All4Eggz]

Yes, put her in a dog crate (with wired/open bottom to allow airflow) with food and water. Wait at least 2-3 days, let her out, and watch her. If she runs straight to the coop, back to the crate she goes. If she walks around for a while, then goes back to the nest, she still needs to go back. You can keep her in the crate for a good amount of time, as long as she has food and water. If possible, keep the crate in the view of the other flock mates so she stays social with the flock.


Good luck Let us know how it goes

 

[Aunt Angus]

Put her in a dog kennel with a wire bottom to cool off. Some breeds are more stubborn than others

Yup. I ended up bringing my super broody Brahma inside for a few days to finally break her. I set up the dog crate over a lined tray in my bathroom. THAT was fun....

Make sure the crate is elevated so air gets under her. No bedding or anything in there. Just food, water, and maybe something to roost on (like a section of 2x4).

 

[aart]

My experience goes about like this: After her setting for 3 days and nights in the nest (or as soon as I know they are broody), I put her in a wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller wire(1x2) on the bottom but no bedding, set up on a couple of 4x4's right in the coop or run with feed and water.

After 48 hours I let her out of crate very near roosting time(30-60 mins) if she goes to roost great, if she goes to nest put her back in crate for another 48 hours.

Tho not necessary a chunk of 2x4 for a 'roost' was added to crate floor,
gives the feet a break from the wire floor and encourages roosting.

 

[3KillerBs]

If you don't have room in your coop for the crate but you do have a secure run you can use an Outdoor Broody Breaker.

The hen in question turned out to be a serial broody so I've got the crate set up permanently in a more convenient spot and use it as a feeder shelter when she's not broody.