Breaking a Broody Hen.....question??

[henmommy]

I have two broody girls and no rooster, so sitting on the eggs is fruitless. One lady has been broody since May. I have 5 10-11 week pullets in a separate pen. Can I remove my two broody girls from the nest and put them in with the young girls to break them? Can they eat the same food for a few days? Or what if I let them free range during the day and shut them out the coop? Suggestion appreciated!

 

[teach1rusl]

Folks seem to have a lot of success with placing a broody in an elevated dog pen or cage (to allow air to circulate underneath), with no bedding, only food/water, for a few days. If you put them in with the older chicks, there is bedding and "snuggly" places available, so it probably wouldn't work.
I did break my girl after letting her sit for a few weeks by keeping her out of the coop. Of course this meant I had to stand guard so that my other girls could get inside to lay their eggs. I'd place her on the roost at night, and then give her the boot first thing in the morning. After two days of being diligent about not allowing her access, she finally snapped out of it. Or maybe she saw the dog crate I had prepared in case she hadn't broken by the end of the weekend...lol.

 

[henmommy]

Thanks, I'll try locking them out first and see how that goes. Crossing fingers!

 

[Ridgerunner]

This thread might make interesting reading for you. Different ideas and different success stories.

Break a Broody Thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2176186#p2176186

 

[henmommy]

Great info. Thanks a bunch!!! Additional question...Can I place more than one broody hen in a dog cage? or one at a time?

 

[Ridgerunner]

That is a real good question. I honestly have never done it so I don't know for sure. I would try it and see if they fight. Fighting is the only thing I'd worry about. I think it would work out well but I'm not sure.