Broody breaker with dog crate?

[arielbaxtermiller]

Hi all!! Our belovedMozart became very broody a few weeks ago, and we finally got around to setting this up for her. I’m wondering if this is too small for a broody box? She tried to fly out the top and is clearly stressed out being in there. The crate is 19” by 19” by 25”

any idea how long she should need to be in here? Is this box too small? Any tips welcome, thanks!

 

[21hens-incharge]

The crate size is fine. She isn't supposed to like it one bit.

It can take a few days to a week or more to break them.
You'll know she is over being broody when she stops heading back to her chosen nest shortly after being let out.

 

[3KillerBs]

Freaking out in the broody breaker is normal.

My Cordon threw herself against the bars and upset her feed and water the first night she saw her flock going in without her.

I stayed until it was full dark to make sure she calmed down and, sure enough, she did.

 

[ChicKittyHouse]

I have 2 in a slightly larger crate. One hen has 6 week old chicks and left them to start sitting eggs again! She's a barnyard mix. The other is a Barnvelder and this is the 5th time she's gone broody this year! I let her hatch a brood of 6 because I was interested in what color eggs I would get from the offspring since my roo is a Welsummer. At first they acted like a couple of 4 yr olds having a meltdown!!

 

[aart]

My experience goes about like this: After her setting for 3 days and nights in the nest (or as soon as I know they are broody), I put her in a wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller wire(1x2) on the bottom but no bedding, set up on a couple of 4x4's right in the coop or run with feed and water.

After 48 hours I let her out of crate very near roosting time(30-60 mins) if she goes to roost great, if she goes to nest put her back in crate for another 48 hours.

Tho not necessary a chunk of 2x4 for a 'roost' was added to crate floor after pic was taken, gives the feet a break from the wire floor and encourages roosting.