Broody vs. Bound

[RedLionChooks]

It can.
The longer they are allowed to set, the longer it can take to break them.
Best to keep crate in coop at night, or put it somewhere else safe, rather than let them roost.

Right on. Yes, crate is safe and sound.

I made a few observations when I went out to let the flock and check on the crated bird.

1. There was no poop beneath the crate floor. When a hen's hormones trigger the instinct, does that automatically mean they will only poop once or twice per day? She roosted on a stick all night, and was roosting when I checked on her.
2. She was not all puffed up like yesterday. Is this a sign the urge is lessening?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Right on. Yes, crate is safe and sound.

I made a few observations when I went out to let the flock and check on the crated bird.

1. There was no poop beneath the crate floor. When a hen's hormones trigger the instinct, does that automatically mean they will only poop once or twice per day? She roosted on a stick all night, and was roosting when I checked on her.
2. She was not all puffed up like yesterday. Is this a sign the urge is lessening?

If I recall, my hen stopped puffing up and just started pacing or standing there sending me death glares while clucking rapidly when I put her in "broody jail". It's likely she'd run around and go back to the nest box if you let her out now. I didn't pay attention to her poop as she was outside, but she did not eat very much while in broody jail. I would attribute that to her hormones.

 

[aart]

There was no poop beneath the crate floor. When a hen's hormones trigger the instinct, does that automatically mean they will only poop once or twice per day?

Possible. Is she eating and drinking?

She was not all puffed up like yesterday. Is this a sign the urge is lessening?

Again, possible.

 

[RedLionChooks]

If I recall, my hen stopped puffing up and just started pacing or standing there sending me death glares while clucking rapidly when I put her in "broody jail". It's likely she'd run around and go back to the nest box if you let her out now. I didn't pay attention to her poop as she was outside, but she did not eat very much while in broody jail. I would attribute that to her hormones.

Yes, I am accepting that this will take a few days, no quick fix. I will keep her caged for a few days. Will let her stretch her legs at dusk, and catch her before she enters the henhouse to place her back in crate.

 

[RedLionChooks]

Possible. Is she eating and drinking?

Again, possible.

Yes, eating and drinking, not quite like normal though.

 

[RedLionChooks]

This first broody experience is such an education. I let the little hen out of the crate this morning (2 nights, 1 full day in), to stretch her legs. She immediately went out to join the flock. She ate, drank, pooped, and foraged, before making her way back to the nest box. I scooped her up, and put her back in the crate.

I am wondering, when the hormone switch is flipped, and the broody process has begun and in swing for 2-3 days, does that mean that the hen is now on course to NOT lay an egg for a few weeks? Or do some just get right back to laying eggs? I guess I want to know, if when she breaks the broody cycle, how long before it's normal for her to start to look for the nest to actually lay an egg, versus sit, sat, set? I would not want to scoop her out of the nest if she is just normally trying to lay an egg.

Thanks for any insights! It's like having virtual coaches along the way!

 

[humblehillsfarm]

This first broody experience is such an education. I let the little hen out of the crate this morning (2 nights, 1 full day in), to stretch her legs. She immediately went out to join the flock. She ate, drank, pooped, and foraged, before making her way back to the nest box. I scooped her up, and put her back in the crate.

I am wondering, when the hormone switch is flipped, and the broody process has begun and in swing for 2-3 days, does that mean that the hen is now on course to NOT lay an egg for a few weeks? Or do some just get right back to laying eggs? I guess I want to know, if when she breaks the broody cycle, how long before it's normal for her to start to look for the nest to actually lay an egg, versus sit, sat, set? I would not want to scoop her out of the nest if she is just normally trying to lay an egg.

Thanks for any insights! It's like having virtual coaches along the way!

It took a week or two before mine started laying again. I had two broody at the same time. The other one still isn't laying but once before she made a nest in the woods so there's a chance she's doing that again. I'm working on a run as soon as possible to stop the woods laying problem.

 

[RedLionChooks]

It took a week or two before mine started laying again. I had two broody at the same time. The other one still isn't laying but once before she made a nest in the woods so there's a chance she's doing that again. I'm working on a run as soon as possible to stop the woods laying problem.

I guess what I'm asking is, once the hen's broody cycle has been broken, will she just stay out of the nest boxes for a few weeks until her egg-laying cycle kicks in again. How will I know if she is making her way to the box to brood, or to lay normally?

Yes, a run is super helpful, to be sure eggs are laid in the boxes for sure. Ours was meant to be temporary -- that was a year ago!! It has worked so well, that we have left it as is. Not the dream run by any stretch. Premier electric netting and aviary netting over top attached to our permanent coop. We plan to have a more permanent proofed run, with additional daytime-when-we're-home space with the electric netting. Have been super pleased with the electric netting after one year in use. It's powerful enough to keep me on my toes for sure!

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I guess what I'm asking is, once the hen's broody cycle has been broken, will she just stay out of the nest boxes for a few weeks until her egg-laying cycle kicks in again. How will I know if she is making her way to the box to brood, or to lay normally?

Yes, a run is super helpful, to be sure eggs are laid in the boxes for sure. Ours was meant to be temporary -- that was a year ago!! It has worked so well, that we have left it as is. Not the dream run by any stretch. Premier electric netting and aviary netting over top attached to our permanent coop. We plan to have a more permanent proofed run, with additional daytime-when-we're-home space with the electric netting. Have been super pleased with the electric netting after one year in use. It's powerful enough to keep me on my toes for sure!

She should stay out of the boxes until time to lay. But it never hurts to keep an eye on her.

 

[aart]

I guess what I'm asking is, once the hen's broody cycle has been broken, will she just stay out of the nest boxes for a few weeks until her egg-laying cycle kicks in again. How will I know if she is making her way to the box to brood, or to lay normally?

It can be hard to tell.
I would say it takes at least a week to start laying again.
If she's in the nest and you grab her she would make broody sounds, that cluckcluckcluck....
...back into the crate.
...or you might have to let her stay in there and see if she lays or is still there at night.