How do I break a broody?

[Ironmaiden]

I have two banty hens that are occupying space in my nesting boxes that are 4 ft off the ground. I do not want chicks at the moment. I have taken the eggs from underneath them, but they still sit there. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Teach97]

I have a bad hen cage...anybody caught sitting around with stupid looks goes in it...had one of my kids half way in before I realized what i was doing...that is a different story though and issue...I throw them in there and leave them for a couple days...it is still in the yard so everyone still sees each other and all that but it gets them away from the sitting area. have heard other stories and methods but haven't doen them...

 

[NonnasBabies]

You can try a few things but not saying they will work. Keep taking her out the nest everytime you see her in it. If she still persists then you can isolate her in a cage that has a wire bottom. Could take a few days for the second one to work!

Good Luck!

 

[Captain Carrot]

couple of ways. You could give them a clutch of ice cubes to sit on, this cools them down a treat. I might take a couple of clutches to do the trick. no one wants to sit on ice right?

Another way is to put them inside a cage with food and water and nothing else, sounds crule but it works, you have to get there behinds cooled off and the air circulating around them will do this, it might take up to a week though.

Last method if you have a young eager cockerel or can borrow one, put him in there with the broodies, he won't leave them alone long enough for them to even think broody thoughts.

 

[wegotchickens]

I've not had much luck with the young cockeral theory. In fact, one randy boy had all the older hens setting in order to avoid him

I have best luck with moving the nest box to a new location, after taking the hen and eggs out. Also, I tote the hen around for a bit while I do chores, and then set her and some treats in the middle of the run. As she scarfs treats she's not thinking about the nest, and then when she is she can't find it at first. By the time she does she isn't as much in the mood. This won't work if the hen is REALLY determined. It easily breaks the half-hearted birds though.

 

[rileysgranny]

It's a hormonal thing. You may not be able to break them, but you can keep taking the eggs out from under her so you won't have babies. One of our BLWs kept it up for nearly 60 days before she finally quit. We would take the eggs out from under her and then pick her up and put her outside with the rest of the flock during their free range time.

 

[Ridgerunner]

This thread might help. Some different ideas and opinions. I believe in the separate cage with wire bottom for a few days theory.

Break a Broody Thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2176186#p2176186