Help! three broody hens

[CHICKENLOVERtweny7]

at first my blue laced wyandotte was broody then she finally stop during a cold snap she's now broody again as well as my salmon faveral and black copper maran we do not have a rooster so its not like they are going to get chicks how do yo guys stop broody hens

 

[sourland]

Lock them away from the nest site - broody breaker cage, separate pen - anything that keeps them from accessing their nest site.

 

[CHICKENLOVERtweny7]

Lock them away from the nest site - broody breaker cage, separate pen - anything that keeps them from accessing their nest site.

thanks, I'll try that

 

[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, 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.

* * *

As long as crate is large enough and the birds are friendly enough with each other (even with hormones) that they don't fight, it's fine to put more than one in a broody breaker.

 

[DollyGirl64]

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.

* * *

As long as crate is large enough and the birds are friendly enough with each other (even with hormones) that they don't fight, it's fine to put more than one in a broody breaker.

Thank for this detailed response!! I have two broodies and was hoping to put them both in the same jail cell!!

 

[Happy hen lover]

Broody jail for sure keep their belly cool. My dh dunked my girl in water and that broke her quickly.

 

[Climbingalbatross]

Broody jail for sure keep their belly cool. My dh dunked my girl in water and that broke her quickly.

How cold was the water? I may try that technique in the 100 degree F California weather. I am up to 7 bantam cochin and silkie hens out of 14 that are fully broody. It seems the warmer weather impacts a larger percentage.

 

[LabMomma]

I’ve also heard that taking a broody on a car ride can help break her broodiness. I’ve never done it before but that’s what I’ve heard

 

[Happy hen lover]

How cold was the water? I may try that technique in the 100 degree F California weather. I am up to 7 bantam cochin and silkie hens out of 14 that are fully broody. It seems the warmer weather impacts a larger percentage.

Oh pretty cool I think I wasn't here to see it. But I've heard the point is to cool down their belly, so in the drying off process it worked.