how long to break a stubborn broody?

[technodoll]

My hormone-ridden cochin pullet has been in the "broody breaker box" for over 2 days now - still no change in broodiness (I just tried putting her back in the coop, she made a puffed-up bohk-bohk beeline for the nesting box) - so back to the box...

I feel terrible for putting her in that tiny "jail" - how long does a hen normally last in one of those contraptions before the broodiness disappears?

 

[dappertophatter]

Oh jeez- Cochins take forEVER to break. Mine only gave up because everybody was picking on her because they wanted to lay in that nestbox.

I've never succeeded in breaking a broody-mine sit the standard threeish weeks, sometimes four, waiting for those invisible babies to hatch, and then they're OK. It must be a girl-spring-hormone thing, ya know?

 

[technodoll]

Update: it took 3 long days but the broody breaker box worked!

My cochin pullet is back in the flock, acting normal and not seeking to invade any nesting box

But now the box is busy again... this time with one of my black sexlinks.

Oh brother.

 

[l'abeille]

my BA needed 5 (!) days. I felt mean, but she's been laying eggs again and seems much more at peace and content than she did when broody. good luck to you.

 

[roxarnett]

Hi
I feel dumb asking this, what is a broodie breaker box?
Are you separating her into a small dog kennel instead of letting her sit?
My Phoenix has gone broody and now we are only getting a couple of eggs a day from our 7 girls, and it is spring!
The other Phoenix found our old barbque to hide her eggs in. I should get a pic of that, hilarious.
Thanks!!

 

[Bring]

Quote:
When one goes broody they all stop laying??

 

[technodoll]

Quote:
It's a small crate/cage with a wire bottom floor, perched above ground to let air circulate under it.

After a few days of cold air hitting her butt and being uncomfortable in a small space with no bedding (add lots of light, it helps too!) - hormones just snap right back into place for some reason.

It works!