Broody pullet problem

[pathwandering]

I have a chocolate Orpington (bantam) that has been broody now for about 9 days. Every day I have been blocking access to the coop to try to break her, but now I have another pullet that is clearly about ready to lay and I don't want to cut off access to the egg box and the coop. I tried filling the coop with old flower pots, but she is bound and determined and finds a way to set on her imaginary eggs. She's about 5 months old, and the days are getting shorter and colder where I am so I'm a little surprised she's already going broody. I was hoping she would go broody in the spring as I plan to hatch some eggs for friends who want to start keeping chickens, but it doesn't seem like a good idea to let her hatch eggs right before winter.

I'm reluctant to do the wire cage thing I've read about for a few reasons. If I keep the door to the coop open so the other bird can start to lay - will she if the other bird is already in the egg box? The coop is an Eglu cube and so it has one larger-sized egg box.

 

[sunflour]

I have a couple of Buff Orpintons that stay broody it seems most of the time…6 hens total 2 nests. they work it out..others either run them out to lay or just go in and lay next to the broody one.. Truly don't think you can break the broodiness, altho many do.. I bought a dog crate to confine my Big Buff, but haven't had the heart to try it yet.