Broody hen cage set up?

[cluckmecoop7]

Hi,

I need directions for a 'broody hen cage set up'. She's (Dazzle) been broody for about a week now and I can't break her. I tried doing the cage way but she did not like it and kept trying to get out and jumping at the top. I'm not sure if I did it right anyway....

ANY advice is welcome!

- Clucky

 

[21hens-incharge]

Are you looking for a "broody breaker"?

That would be a wire crate raised off the ground so air flows under the bird as well as around her.

Many use purchased wire dog crates with the solid pan removed and extra wire added so her feet don't go through the openings.

Use no bedding. It is not to be a comfy place to nest.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Ok, but what about her trying to get out? Oh, and I want to make sure I'm doing it right so it would be great if you could post a picture...?

 

[21hens-incharge]

A couple examples.

Note that the black dog crate is upside down, has wire added and the pan is zip tied to the top.

I had to add hardware cloth over the entire dog crate as my very upset hen kept finding ways to get stuck.

Both cages are raised off the ground. That is important.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Thank you! I'll watch the videos asap!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Whatever cage/pen you use should be covered. My set up is just a dog exercise pen with a covered top that I place in the run - no chance of jumping out the top.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I watched the videos. Will try again tomorrow.

 

[aart]

This is how I do:
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 on the bottom but no bedding, set up on a couple of 4x4's right in the coop or run with feed and water.

I used to let them out a couple times a day, but now just once a day in the evening(you don't have to) and she would go out into the run, drop a huge turd, race around running, take a vigorous dust bath then head back to the nest... at which point I put her back in the crate. Each time her outings would lengthen a bit, eating, drinking and scratching more and on the 3rd afternoon she stayed out of the nest and went to roost that evening...event over, back to normal tho she didn't lay for another week or two. Or take her out of crate daily very near roosting time(30-60 mins) if she goes to roost great, if she goes to nest put her back in crate.
Chunk of 2x4 for a 'roost' was added to crate floor after pic was taken.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Thank you!

Ok, so you guys are saying that it is ok to put her in the cage, in the run? I would like to do that...only one question: Will she go crazy all the time trying to get to the other chickens? Thanks much!

 

[21hens-incharge]

If you cage her in the run she will need shade that stays with her all day.

You don't want her trapped in full sun.

She may be nutty at first.
Each hen is different so no real way to know.