Broody breaking question

[bethnlee]

Hello and than you in advance for your help. I’ve got a broody hen and I want to break her. I’ve read a lot of the broody “files” but don’t find my question…I have a wire dog crate that I can use. I would like to set it i the covers run, as that would spare me from having to put it in my house or garage but I can do that if it’s the best thing to do. I have read she needs to be in “a well lit area”, and “away from the coop” From The Chicken Chick on broody breaker). So my questions are…my coop is inside the run (actually a covered dog kennel 10x10 so would be “close to the coop”. I don’t want her to gaze longingly at the coop/nesting boxes . Would she be better in the garage or house? And second, the “well lit space”. I can put her in the garage or house with lights on…does that mean lights 24/7 or should I allow her darkness at night? Thank you in advance. I’ve learned SO much from this group!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

It's mostly getting air circulating below her belly to shut off the hormones. That's the wire cage with air flow. Also, not overly comfortable in a nest. Again the wire cage.

I'll let others chime in about success with lights. I don't like to light my birds 24x7 as I think it messes with their brains too much.

LofMc

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

If it is not cold where you are, I would cool her broody patch with water.

 

[bethnlee]

It's mostly getting air circulating below her belly to shut off the hormones. That's the wire cage with air flow. Also, not overly comfortable in a nest. Again the wire cage.

I'll let others chime in about success with lights. I don't like to light my birds 24x7 as I think it messes with their brains too much.

LofMc

Thanks. Yes, I’ll elevate the cage, for sure. I understand the need to cool her off. And as to the light, I agree (I dont mess with their light in the coop for the same reasons) but didn’t know if it would help break her broodiness and not mess with her too much…I’m building g her broody jail now and will have her in it within the hour. Today is day 3 of her being broody…

 

[aart]

My breaker crate is kept in the coop, under the poop board where it is kinda dark.
Works well for me...unless we are having a heat wave, then I have to have a crate out in the run and move it several times a day into the shade.

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, gives the feet a break from the wire floor and encourages roosting.

 

[bethnlee]

If it is not cold where you are, I would cool her broody patch with water.

Thanks. It is the opposite of cold here. I live in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada on the west side. Should be 90 today and most of the week. Often ends up being 100 when they say that . So..how, exactl, would you do that? put her in a bucket of cool water? How long, how often? I’ve not read that except I read throw water on them…that sounds…wrong…somehow..

 

[bethnlee]

My breaker crate is kept in the coop, under the poop board where it is kinda dark.
Works well for me...unless we are having a heat wave, then I have to have a crate out in the run and move it several times a day into the shade.

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, gives the feet a break from the wire floor and encourages roosting.
View attachment 3132535

Thanks so much. My newly created broody breaker looks just like this…I’ll add the 2x4. My coop isn’t big enough, to put her in ther, and it’s too stinking hot anyway…I have a pool in the run with a fan blowing across it to keep the run cooler…I’ve just put the broody breaker in my grandsons bedroom (he’s not here until school break). The first things she did when I put her in there was eat and drink. I was pleased with that. I’ll do as you suggest and try her back in the run in 48 hours…just a bit before sunset and see where she goes…if she heads to the nesting box it’s back in jail for her!
I still wonder about the lights…should they stay on until she’s broken or is the original thought that 24 hour lights, even shirt term, isn’t a good thing for her.

 

[aart]

I still wonder about the lights…should they stay on until she’s broken or is the original thought that 24 hour lights, even shirt term, isn’t a good thing for her

Have never heard of this....I'd keep her on a regular circadian schedule.

 

[bethnlee]

Have never heard of this....I'd keep her on a regular circadian schedule.

Thanks so much. That’s what I’ll do…

 

[rosemarythyme]

I've never messed with the lighting. I also keep the breaker in the coop or run (I don't find that a specific location matters, just somewhere safe and in sight of the other birds), so that there's no issue with reintegrating the broody with the flock once she's done. Just open the door and let her rejoin the others.