Broody Pullet getting bullied... help

[Laylahege]

I have a 7 month old bantam Easter egger who has gone broody. I don't want her to hatch any eggs and have been trying to snap her out of it without putting her in isolation. I tried ice cubes... literally stood by the nesting box most of the day and pulled her out when she went in. She hasn't laid for at least 3 days.
It's more of an issue with her because when I place her with the rest of the flock (2 other bantam eggers and 3 barred rocks) they bully her, pecking and pulling the occasional feather. They don't allow her within a foot or so of them. The barred rocks are more aggressive but the other eggers go after her too. Even at night they've started pecking at her when she tries to get on the perch with them after I've forced her out of the nesting box and blocked her from it. I'm worried about separating her for a period of time because of the aggression from the others.
Could she be going broody because they've been aggressive to her, or is it the other way around? They were a little nippy with her before, she was definitely bottom of the flock, but not to this extent.
The flock has a 1/2 acre to free range on all day and a large coop/run. They all started laying at 5 months and give 5 eggs a week.
What should I do? These are my first chickens and I love them so much!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It's normal for broody hens to be picked on. All their clucking and puffing up seems to irritate other birds.

The kindest thing to do is to break her by placing her in a wire bottom cage elevated off the ground. It takes 3-7 days depending on how long they have been broody. Provide a perch, food and water. On day 3 release. If they return to the nest, than back to the cage they go.

Leaving a hen broody can be physically exhausting and can leave them stressed.

 

[Laylahege]

It's normal for broody hens to be picked on. All their clucking and puffing up seems to irritate other birds.

The kindest thing to do is to break her by placing her in a wire bottom cage elevated off the ground. It takes 3-7 days depending on how long they have been broody. Provide a perch, food and water. On day 3 release. If they return to the nest, than back to the cage they go.

Leaving a hen broody can be physically exhausting and can leave them stressed.

Should I have the cage inside the run or farther away from her normal environment?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Should I have the cage inside the run or farther away from her normal environment?

I would keep it where it's convenient for you. Usually it's best where the rest of the flock can see them, but since it's only a short time you can generally get away with it wherever you need it.

Usually this time of year I'm breaking multiple birds, especially my bantams. I have left them, but sometimes they can get so depleted they can get ill easily, so if I'm not hatching I break them asap.

 

[rosemarythyme]

General broody breaker info but I address cage placement as well.

Broody jail: Put her in an isolation cage with some food and water, in sight of the others (in the coop if it's not too hot or in/near the run is ideal). A wire cage elevated to air flow under her would be the best option, however I've used everything from a brooder to a dog exercise pen.

Keep her in the cage around the clock for about 2 days. At that time, if she's shows fewer signs of broodiness (puffing up, flattening down and growling, tik tik tik noise) you can let her out to test her. If she runs back to the nest at any point (usually they don't do it immediately, but maybe after 15 minutes, maybe an hour) then she's not yet sufficiently broken and needs to go back to the cage for another 24 hours. Then let her out and test her again. Repeat until she's no longer going to the nest box.

IF the isolation cage is not safe for overnight stay (i.e. sits outside the run, run not predator proof) then put her on the roost at night, and retrieve her from the nest box the next morning and put her back in the cage. It may take a little longer this way but better than letting a predator get to her.

 

[Laylahege]

Thanks. She's in "jail" right now. I used a dog crate and some metal closet shelving as the base so it's off the ground. After the 2-3 day quarantine, is there a "best" way to incorporate her back into the group. They are pecking her through the cage

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Usually I just release them and they run off. Hopefully they leave her alone.

 

[McChooky]

Thanks. She's in "jail" right now. I used a dog crate and some metal closet shelving as the base so it's off the ground. After the 2-3 day quarantine, is there a "best" way to incorporate her back into the group. They are pecking her through the cage

Put cardboard up to block her being attacked. The bullies need to go to jail if they try to attack her once you turn her loose.

 

[Laylahege]

Mean cheeks (the pullet) has been out for 5 hours now and is no longer broody. My 5 other girls are being very well behaved! Thank y'all so much for your advice!