Broody chickens

[Brittany Garcia]

New to the chicken world and recently have two broody chickens. Does the enclosure have to have a wire bottom to break them of this?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Yes. They will just continue to brood sitting on a solid bottom otherwise.

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

New to the chicken world and recently have two broody chickens. Does the enclosure have to have a wire bottom to break them of this?

I find it quickest to break a broody in a cage off the ground (to help cool off her hormones), mine in pic below had a tray under wire bottom so I just take the tray out and she's on wire with airflow underneath. Also if you can have the 2 in seperate cages that would be best.

 

[3KillerBs]

I just setup a broody-breaker today.

This cage is, by the way, ridiculously over-sized, but it was the one my sister found in the storage shed of the house she just bought so I used it.

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

I just setup a broody-breaker today.

This cage is, by the way, ridiculously over-sized, but it was the one my sister found in the storage shed of the house she just bought so I used it.

View attachment 2638634

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Nice setup. I have a few cages this size but multiple broodies became a problem so I ended up buying multiple smaller cages so I could fit them all in a secure area at night.

 

[3KillerBs]

Nice setup. I have a few cages this size but multiple broodies became a problem so I ended up buying multiple smaller cages so I could fit them all in a secure area at night.

Yes. It's ridiculously large. But the only thing available.

 

[21hens-incharge]

All I did was respond to this broody thread and now I must set up my breaker!
I went to gather eggs and my California White that hatched late August bout took my arm off! She sounds possessed.

Oh yeah she is DEFINITELY feeling like a nice vacation in the breaker.

 

[rosemarythyme]

No, it doesn't, BUT you're far more likely to have good results with a breaker that allows cold air to get under the hen's belly, which is the point of the wire bottom.

I actually don't have a crate and just break my broodies in anything that can contain them for a few days - a dog exercise pen, my brooder, even a tea cart turned on its side. I haven't had issue doing it this way as I break them immediately when I see the signs, so they never have time to really get set.

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

All I did was respond to this broody thread and now I must set up my breaker!
I went to gather eggs and my California White that hatched late August bout took my arm off! She sounds possessed.

Oh yeah she is DEFINITELY feeling like a nice vacation in the breaker.

Sure enough one of mine went broody today too! Its Autumn here but chicken hormones still raging and eggs are still being laid!