How to break broody?

[Chick CJ]

I've been looking for information on byc on how to break a broody hen. I have no roosters and so far two of my hens have gone broody and it seems to be messing with my other hens laying as well. Today I locked the two who are brooding out of the coop/run and the other girls I kept in. My chickens free range all day in their part of the backyard and I feel bad making them stay in but it was the only way to keep the nesting boxes accessable to them and not the broodies. Tonight I slid a board across the front of the nesting boxes so they can't get in them to lay over night and I will take it out tomorrow first thing. Does anyone have any other advice on how to help them get over this faster?
Thanks, CJ

 

[Chicky Tocks]

I have a broody black copper marans hen right now and more chicks than I know what to do with. I'm not going to let her hatch any eggs. I don't want to put her in a bare wire cage which is the suggested method, so tonight I started trying to break her up by going into the coop and picking her up off of her nest. I put her on the roost with everyone else. I'm not sure if this will work, but I'll do it again tomorrow night if I catch her back on the nest again tomorrow.

 

[melody123]

Give her some golf balls to set on for a week or so, then slip her a chick. (chicken, duckling, guinea, etc.)

Or move her to a new location.

Or sell her to someone who want a broody

 

[Chick CJ]

I wish I could slip her a chick or some fertilized eggs! It would be fun to raise some more chicks but we are at our max right now and just seemed to get things settled with all the girls. They all just started laying first part of April and I am really enjoying getting a lot of eggs right now. For now I will do my best to keep her out of the nesting boxes and see how long it takes.
CJ

 

[mboreham1]

i just broke a mille fleur d'uccle, i whacked a chick under her and asked a buddy if he wanted it as i am at my max. I bet you could find a home for a chick after it is 2 or 3 weeks old

 

[cybercat]

Dunking her in a bucket of cool water up to her neck should work. You might have to do it twice. This works faster than cage method.