Broody Silkie, and We Don't Want Chicks...

[mdtansley]

OP is trying to BREAK the broody. This will not help - giving her an egg or anything egg-like would only encourage her to set. She needs to kept away from the nest or anything that could serve as a nesting area.



For 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) 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.

This helps so much! Thank you from the both of my heart!

 

[turkey girl 0964]

Hope all goes well!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I agree, you do not want eggs or anything else in that broody buster except for food and water. A roost is OK if you wish, I don't have one. The broody buster needs to be in a predator safe location. I like it to be where the other chickens can see her, I never have problems with reintegration that way.

My main broody buster is 3' x 6'. It's actually a wire bottomed brooder built into the coop. You had a question on size. I have used a smaller dog cage when I had chicks in that brooder.

I leave mine in for 72 hours before I let them out. That's usually enough but occasionally I have to lock one up again.

Good luck!

 

[mdtansley]

I agree, you do not want eggs or anything else in that broody buster except for food and water. A roost is OK if you wish, I don't have one. The broody buster needs to be in a predator safe location. I like it to be where the other chickens can see her, I never have problems with reintegration that way.

My main broody buster is 3' x 6'. It's actually a wire bottomed brooder built into the coop. You had a question on size. I have used a smaller dog cage when I had chicks in that brooder.

I leave mine in for 72 hours before I let them out. That's usually enough but occasionally I have to lock one up again.

Good luck!

Did you ever let yours roam around while breaking their broodiness? And thank you so much for your help!

 

[Chicken poppy]

Did you ever let yours roam around while breaking their broodiness? And thank you so much for your help!

hii, sorry about my wrong info before. Ive done research and i think I understand it much better, i didnt read what you guys were saying but would you like me to explain it?

 

[mdtansley]

hii, sorry about my wrong info before. Ive done research and i think I understand it much better, i didnt read what you guys were saying but would you like me to explain it?

Its no problem! You tried to help so I can't blame you. I understand what to do now so you don't have to explain, but thanks for the offer!

 

[Chicken poppy]

Its no problem! You tried to help so I can't blame you. I understand what to do now so you don't have to explain, but thanks for the offer!

Of course, sorry again. I wish the best for your flock!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Did you ever let yours roam around while breaking their broodiness? And thank you so much for your help!

I personally only let them out for testing (to see if they're broken or not). Otherwise it's too easy to take your eye off them for a moment only to find they've run back to sit on the nest.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Did you ever let yours roam around while breaking their broodiness?

No. I personally don't see any benefit, just a little more work since you have to handle them.

 

[aart]

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(1x2) on the bottom but no bedding, set up on a couple of 4x4's right in the coop or run with feed and water.

After 48 hours in the crate, let her out of crate very near roosting time(30-60 mins) if she goes to roost great, if she goes to nest put her back in crate.

Tho not necessary, a chunk of 2x4 for a 'roost' was added to crate floor after pic was taken to give the feet a break from the wire floor.