Broody Breaker and Behaviors Questions

[thecatumbrella]

The 2x4 isn't elevated, it's just lying on the floor, wide side up.

I started with that, and she just paced back and forth on it having diarrhea. Was hoping that if I got it off the ground, she'd be more inclined to perch? Probably wishful thinking!

 

[Sally PB]

Putting Widget (my serial broody) in the crate is something I have to do and then walk away. I know she isn't happy. I know she will pace and try to throw herself at the side of the crate.

I'm sure it doesn't help that the only good place to put the crate is across the coop from the nest boxes, where she sees the other hens going in to lay.

It usually takes 3 days to break her. On the 3rd night, I open the door to the crate at lock up. She has always gone to roost, thank goodness.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Putting Widget (my serial broody) in the crate is something I have to do and then walk away. I know she isn't happy. I know she will pace and try to throw herself at the side of the crate.

I'm sure it doesn't help that the only good place to put the crate is across the coop from the nest boxes, where she sees the other hens going in to lay.

It usually takes 3 days to break her. On the 3rd night, I open the door to the crate at lock up. She has always gone to roost, thank goodness.

THANK YOU for sharing that! Every video I watch of a broody in a breaker has them sitting there in a trance. It was making me second guess myself to see her so miserable, but I feel better knowing it's expected behavior.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Admittedly I don't have an issue with how to handle poops in a breaker since I just leave mine on the ground itself, so really no need to manage litter issues. So hopefully you find a good solution for Dandelion as those are very fluffy feet!

Poor thing really wants out, but sometimes you just have to remind yourself you're doing this to get her through it faster, and just walk away. Some broodies are much more desperate to get out, others just deflate and give up until their hormones level back out.

If she really needs to lay yes she'll just lay in the crate.

Normal for broodies to not eat or drink as regularly as they should. Some aren't so bad, others seem to not want to eat at all, it's just how it is.

As long as the breaker is in a safe-to-your-satisfaction location, yes she should stay overnight in there.

 

[Perris]

her poops are very soft with a green tinge. Broody poops? Stress poops? She's eats and drinks very little.

No this is not broody poop. This is sick poop.

she is very, very stressed out

Remember that some birds retire to the nest not because they are broody but because they feel rotten. Are you absolutely sure she is not ill, rather than broody? Because if she is, added stress will just make it a whole lot worse.

 

[Sally PB]

Very good point, @Perris! My hens will sometimes want to sleep in a nest box, which I strongly discourage. However, I do allow it when they're molting. I know they don't want to be around the others at that time, so if they want to bunk down in a nest box, I let them.

 

[thecatumbrella]

If she really needs to lay yes she'll just lay in the crate.

As long as the breaker is in a safe-to-your-satisfaction location, yes she should stay overnight in there.

We ended up bringing her in to the basement brooder overnight, and she laid an egg in the sand. Good news is that she was not acting broody this morning! We'll keep her going in the crate. Thank you for the reassurances.

Remember that some birds retire to the nest not because they are broody but because they feel rotten. Are you absolutely sure she is not ill, rather than broody? Because if she is, added stress will just make it a whole lot worse.

Good point! When she's having a temporary "break", she's the most vibrant bird in the flock. Very active and outgoing with a big appetite. We even gave her a full health check last night. The broodiness has been a slow build up, and I think she's just finally there. I agree that they're not broody poops, so I'll keep monitoring to make sure they firm back up as she calms down. It looks like things are just running through the plumbing too fast. She thankfully ate a good amount last night before bed.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Update!

Dandelion is doing much better this morning. Like I said, she laid overnight in the basement brooder. Now she's sitting calmly in the broody breaker, eating/drinking/preening. She did a nice big brown poop. Hoping 3 days in the clink will reset her. I feel bad that she's a laying broody, but it is what it is. Will post photos if we come up with some nice upgrades for the broody breaker.

Thanks everyone!

 

[ChickenChick46]

Update!

Dandelion is doing much better this morning. Like I said, she laid overnight in the basement brooder. Now she's sitting calmly in the broody breaker, eating/drinking/preening. She did a nice big brown poop. Hoping 3 days in the clink will reset her. I feel bad that she's a laying broody, but it is what it is. Will post photos if we come up with some nice upgrades for the broody breaker.

Thanks everyone!

So glad to hear this! I hope she's well on her way to returning to normal.