breaking the broody cycle

[bbower]

One of my BO's has gone broody. She sits in one particular box best I can tell, all day. In trying to get her out I literally tipped her over because she refused to move. Kind of funny to watch. Does this mean she is not laying? If not I'm not sure how to isolate her from the nest boxes without preventing the other three from getting to a box. My dh and I both work and aren't around to kick her out during the day. Any suggestions?

 

[seriousbill]

Pen her up separately and keep her away from any nesting material if you want to "break her up." I use a commercial rabbit hutch with a wire floor. It works really well.

 

[Jolyn]

I just had to do this with my BR. I had a dog crate and i put some newspaper in the bottom. Stuck her in it for three days with food and water. I cleaned it out atleast once a day. I just put the crate in the coop with the other chickens though. Took three days and she didn't continue being broody after that.

 

[Kitchenella]

My only laying hen also went broody about 10 days ago. She is sitting on an empty nest. she had just started laying cute little tasty eggs about 2 months ago.

My complaint is that since she is 'top dog hen' the other two are hanging out with here. They rarely come out of the coop and even sit in the nesting box with her. they aren't laying yet so she's not going to steal their eggs to sit on.

I feel bad trying to 'break' her. I'm going to give her time to naturally get over it. If she doesn't stop at the end of a normal hatching cycle I'll try the cage thing.

Peggy

 

[A.J.'s]

Ive never "broke" one in the winter time, but ive done it several times in summer.. simply put ice in a tub of water and take the hen and "sit" her in it for a minute or so. Or just duck her in it several times.
It works. sometimes Ive had to do it two days in a row. or twice a day..
this lowers her temperature which has gone up a bit for the job ahead. it can be done in many ways.. Grand ma threw her hens in the creek a few times.
Ive had hens that would not stop sitting after their chicks were hatched..this works when you dont want a broody or you have taken the chicks away.