Breaking A Broody Silkie

[Birdello]

Ugh....I’ve tried everything and crating Dolly Parton is my last resort. She’s been broody for almost four weeks...I’ve kicked her out of the coop, constantly removed her from the nesting box and feeding her treats to keep her interested but nothing is working. I’ve just picked up this crate and she is NOT happy. Is this setup ok, she is about 3cm off the bottom of the crate with wire above the solid base? She is under cover but I will put a blanket over the top during the night to keep her warm. Any advice would be appreciated. FYI she’s about six months old, laid a few eggs then went broody and we’re in the middle of a mild winter.

 

[aart]

The wire floor you've got in there is too large a mesh for comfortable footing.
No, she won't be happy, may take all day for her to settle down and accept the confinement.

Looks like the divider panel that comes with some crates.
I used 14ga 1x2 cage wire and it's worked well, tho I do toss a chunk of 2x4 in there as a 'roost' for some foot relief.
If you look closely you can see how I attached by wrapping 1x2 wire ends around crate wire.

 

[Cebarmlds]

I had good luck slipping a baggie of ice cubes under hens in the nest box, just took 2/3 days. Change it out when she melts them.

 

[Birdello]

Thanks so much. She has a perch and proper chicken wire on the floor. I took her out this morning with the other girls and she went to run back into her nesting box. Back into the crate she went. I feel so mean

 

[aart]

Thanks so much. She has a perch and proper chicken wire on the floor. I took her out this morning with the other girls and she went to run back into her nesting box. Back into the crate she went. I feel so mean

She'll get over it, and so will you
Better than her sitting for weeks losing condition with nothing to show in the end.
"proper chicken wire"????

 

[Birdello]

She'll get over it, and so will you
Better than her sitting for weeks losing condition with nothing to show in the end.
"proper chicken wire"????

The wire mesh on the bottom of the cage....must be an Aussie thing haha....it looks a little different but it’s a lightweight fine wire fencing that comes in rolls

 

[aart]

The wire mesh on the bottom of the cage....must be an Aussie thing haha....it looks a little different but it’s a lightweight fine wire fencing that comes in rolls

Size of wire and holes is always helpful and/or a pic