Broodiness Cycle

[Trux]

Had a serial broody last summer, broke her 7 times after letting her hatch in March(she got broke the previous fall too). Finally gave her to someone in Sept. who wanted a broody, she never went broody again(as of April).

So can we assume that moving a broody to another flock will break them permanently?
Imagine doing a study would be a nightmare with so many variables

 

[jlwquilter]

That would be an interesting experiment but brings in bio-security issues I wouldn't want to deal with.

There is that. Might work for someone with a larger set up that can move a broody to another coop for a month or so and then move her back to the original coop. Any volunteers to conduct the experiment?? Lol!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

So can we assume that moving a broody to another flock will break them permanently?
Imagine doing a study would be a nightmare with so many variables

That we surely can't assume.

 

[aart]

That's hilarious.

It is now....was a raging PITA at the time.

@aart do you think maybe the change in venue is what broke her broodiness? She was no longer triggered by the same nest, same smells, etc?

Good point. Stress of move and new surroundings. Feeling less safe to raise a family.

Could be stress, she wasn't too happy being out of sight of the flock(only place I could find shade).

So can we assume that moving a broody to another flock will break them permanently?
Imagine doing a study would be a nightmare with so many variables

You know what they say about assumptions

That would be an interesting experiment but brings in bio-security issues I wouldn't want to deal with.

Exactly...and I don't want her back!

 

[MotherOfChickens]

She is known as Jail Bird Betty. She is a repeat offender.

 

[Col1948]

I notice you have a floor in the crate, in mine I removed that and just had a piece of wood for a roost so she couldn't squat like sat on a nest.
I know it sounds a bit cruel but I was thinking make it uncomfortable, the only place to squat was on the roost.

Just to add, if that floor is a permanent fixture try turning the crate upside down.

 

[Shadrach]

@Col1948 has given you a good tip.
It's all about temperature with broody hens. You need to have air flowing underneath her whether she's standing, or sitting.
I would do as Col suggests and put the jail on a couple of blocks to get it right off the ground. If you can locate the jail where there is a noticeable airflow that's even better.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

x2 to the above 2 comments. There can be no floor in the cage. It needs to be elevated with a wire bottom.
If the supports for the floor are spaced too far apart for her to sit comfortably, cover it with a piece of hardware cloth.
Our homemade broody jails were made of 1X2 welded wire fencing with some wood lath on the edges for support hanging from the ceiling.
Cool air has to reach the hen's underside to break the hormone cycle. If she can plunk her underside down on a solid surface, that doesn't qualify as broody jail.
That may be the problem. The hormone cycle is never completely broken. With the proper setup, it usually only takes about 2 days.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I notice you have a floor in the crate, in mine I removed that and just had a piece of wood for a roost so she couldn't squat like sat on a nest.
I know it sounds a bit cruel but I was thinking make it uncomfortable, the only place to squat was on the roost.

Just to add, if that floor is a permanent fixture try turning the crate upside down.

I always leave the tray in because I raise it up off the ground and she would fall through the crate. She never squats on the tray. She has a roost in there with her that she gets up on at night.... other wise she just walks around in the crate.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

@Col1948 has given you a good tip.
It's all about temperature with broody hens. You need to have air flowing underneath her whether she's standing, or sitting.
I would do as Col suggests and put the jail on a couple of blocks to get it right off the ground. If you can locate the jail where there is a noticeable airflow that's even better.

It is raised off the ground. But it has to have the tray otherwise she would fall through the crate. This is how I do it every time. 3 days, she is broke.