Breaking a Broody in Cold Temps

[aart]

Ok, so I have her set up under our blue tarp area in the run. She has a roost she’s been sitting on for most of the afternoon. I am going to keep her there overnight tonight and see how she does (temps going down to 40degF with winds tonight).

40°F is the wind chill temp?
Make sure she's blocked from the wind.
That towel on the roost may be defeating the purpose of giving them nothing to 'set' on.

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

If cold temps I put a cover over the cage or you could wrap the cage in a tarp or similar but make sure it's still has ventilation.

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

Something like this cover, but can just use a tarp or if no tarp a blanket /towel or similar so she stays warmer without wind chill.

 

[lbgreenfield]

40°F is the wind chill temp?
Make sure she's blocked from the wind.
That towel on the roost may be defeating the purpose of giving them nothing to 'set' on.

40degF is the overnight temp and we have a high wind warning tonight. I will put some towels around her crate to block the wind.

The towel is wrapped around the roost because it isn’t a smooth piece of wood. That’s all we had that would fit through the crate opening. I don’t want her to get cuts or splinters on her feet. The roost with the towel is about 2inches wide. If you think I should remove the towel, I will but I don’t want her to get cuts on her feet.

 

[NatJ]

The towel is wrapped around the roost because it isn’t a smooth piece of wood. That’s all we had that would fit through the crate opening. I don’t want her to get cuts or splinters on her feet.

You could try sanding it-- a few minutes with a piece of sandpaper sometimes makes a big difference. (But I haven't seen the wood. If it would have to be sanded until there was no wood left, it would be a waste of time to even try.)

 

[lbgreenfield]

You could try sanding it-- a few minutes with a piece of sandpaper sometimes makes a big difference. (But I haven't seen the wood. If it would have to be sanded until there was no wood left, it would be a waste of time to even try.)

It’s an old piece of scrap wood, it would have to be sanded until there’s nothing left. I’m hoping the towel covered roost doesn’t ruin trying to break her broodiness.

Y’all have me more worried about keeping her out of the coop at night in these colder temps!!! I plan on checking on her a few times before I go to bed around 10pm to see how she’s doing. Any signs of distress I will put her in the coop. I am going to go out tomorrow to try and buy another small dog crate to put in the garage so she can go there at night. Who knew chickens could cost so much $$$! Haha.

 

[aart]

I’m hoping the towel covered roost doesn’t ruin trying to break her broodiness.

It should be ok, a single layer would be best.

 

[lbgreenfield]

It should be ok, a single layer would be best.

I’ll switch to a thinner towel (single layer too) tomorrow!