Broody in sub-freezing temps?

[sophiehatter1057]

We are first time chicken owners, and quite suddenly the cold weather descended on us in the southeast. We are expecting sub freezing temps tonight. We have an open air coop and my husband is tarping three sides to cut the wind exposure, but do I need to get insulation around it before nighttime?

On top of this, we have a girl who's gone broody for the first time. It started 2 days ago. From what I've read, we need to put her in broody jail in a mesh bottom cage both to (a) prevent her from going back to the boxes and (b) help her body temperature drop to eliminate the broody hormones. But with sub freezing temperatures, is it cold enough for that to happen even if she's up on the roost?

 

[nuthatched]

How cold are you expecting? It won't be any cooler than shed be on the roost.

 

[sophiehatter1057]

How cold are you expecting? It won't be any cooler than shed be on the roost.

It's going to be -4*C (24.8*F). I had read that the roost can retain enough heat beneath her to keep the hormones going?

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

You can just put her in a small dog kennel with a tray where she can't get back to the nesting box for a few days. The earlier you intervene on a broody, the easier it is to break them. Also, this being her first time, she shouldn't be as serious as one who has been broody plenty of times. This worked for one of my hens recently.

 

[nuthatched]

It's going to be -4*C (24.8*F). I had read that the roost can retain enough heat beneath her to keep the hormones going?

I'm pointing out that's there's not much difference between being on the roost and being in the crate
She'll be fine in the crate, 28 is nothing to chickens

 

[BDutch]

I don’t let my hens sit / breed in winter. Its easier for the broody in spring or summer (if its not getting hot where you live).

Chicks have an easier start in spring and summer too. They can come out from under momma a lot sooner and longer to eat, drink and explore.

 

[sophiehatter1057]

I'm pointing out that's there's not much difference between being on the roost and being in the crate
She'll be fine in the crate, 28 is nothing to chickens

Oh gotcha! Thank you!

 

[sophiehatter1057]

You can just put her in a small dog kennel with a tray where she can't get back to the nesting box for a few days. The earlier you intervene on a broody, the easier it is to break them. Also, this being her first time, she shouldn't be as serious as one who has been broody plenty of times. This worked for one of my hens recently.

Thank you! Do you happen to know the rough dimensions of the kind of kennel you mean?

 

[sophiehatter1057]

I don’t let my hens sit / breed in winter. Its easier for the broody in spring or summer (if its not getting hot where you live).

Chicks have an easier start in spring and summer too. They can come out from under momma a lot sooner and longer to eat, drink and explore.

I'm taking note of this in case we ever decide to hatch eggs. My flock is all pullets, so no fertile eggs, but she's broody all the same.

 

[rosemarythyme]

No you don't need insulation, and a crate roughly this size should work: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/broody-breaking-ala-aart.77915/