Broody hen, tried many “cures”

[FourHelpingHens]

Hello, I have my first persistent broody hen and none of my bag of tricks are working. She’s an RIR and this go we only have four chickens. We don’t have room for baby chicks and don’t have a rooster.

I have tried separating her in an open wire cage, cold bath, walking around with her, locking her out of the coop for the day (after others have laid), taking her out of the laying box every time she goes in for days at a time. Nothing has worked and we are in month two.

What else should I try?

 

[MountainWoman73]

I've been there.

How long was she separated in the wire cage? It takes a minimum of 3-4 days, sometimes a week, but I've never had it fail. If she can go back to the nest at night or at any point, you have to start the clock again.

 

[Happy hen lover]

I feel your pain , I've raised their curtains , separating in wire crate ( that worked her first time.) My hubby dunked ours to her neck for three minutes it worked ! I have heard of blowing fan on that box too. Anything to cool her down.
p. s. I now have a new hen doing it. !!! I take eggs away frequently too. Good Luck she should be done in 21 days though.

 

[aart]

How long was she separated in the wire cage?

Good question.

It takes a minimum of 3-4 days, sometimes a week, but I've never had it fail.

Same here.
Make sure the crate is raised above the ground/floor.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/broody-breaking-ala-aart.77915/

 

[Mrs. K]

Personally, I am of the persuasion that you should add and remove chickens each year. Get two pullet day old chicks and give them to her? Come the fall, sell two of the older girls. Keeps your flock fresh. You can cheat on space in the summer, but in the fall you HAVE to reduce to fit.

 

[FourHelpingHens]

Personally, I am of the persuasion that you should add and remove chickens each year. Get two pullet day old chicks and give them to her? Come the fall, sell two of the older girls. Keeps your flock fresh. You can cheat on space in the summer, but in the fall you HAVE to reduce to fit.

These girls are all new, my daughters and she is attached. I did try the cage for a few days, I may be able to try longer. This is long past 21 days though, going into week seven. I’m surprised she is this resistant, especially an RIR! Ha

 

[K0k0shka]

Keep her in the cage until she breaks, and don't take her out for any reason. You said you tried the cage for a few days, but if she didn't break, then why did you stop? Wire cage raised off the floor, with no flooring in the cage (you can put chicken wire on top of the wire floor so it's easier on her feet, but keep her on wire, take out the plastic bottom of the cage). If it's hot where you are, you can keep the cage in your basement where it's cooler (being hot encourages more broodiness, especially if their bellies stay hot).