Broody Youn

[JNB92831]

Hi i have three hens the youngest is being broody lays on eggs day and night
Now the other hens aren’t laying like they used to and the broody hen isn’t laying anymore ..
anyone know how to break this , so i can get back to normal

 

[rosemarythyme]

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.

 

[aart]

anyone know how to break this ,

@rosemarythyme explained it well, I'll just add a pic.

so i can get back to normal

Well, 'normal' can vary.
How old are your birds, in months?
Do you free range?

Oh, and..... Welcome to BYC! @JNB92831

 

[JNB92831]

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.

Thank you so much for all of this
Very much appreciated

 

[JNB92831]

@rosemarythyme explained it well, I'll just add a pic.
View attachment 2644037


Well, 'normal' can vary.
How old are your birds, in months?
Do you free range?

Oh, and..... Welcome to BYC! @JNB92831
View attachment 2644038

Thank you i have 3 hens the one that is broody is 6 months and the other two are 8 months . They are free range

 

[Ryan A]

Hi i have three hens the youngest is being broody lays on eggs day and night
Now the other hens aren’t laying like they used to and the broody hen isn’t laying anymore ..
anyone know how to break this , so i can get back to normal

Are there enough nests for everyone?

 

[aart]

They are free range

They may be laying out in range area.
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop/run for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.