How to Prevent Broodiness?

[KWestVA]

I have read somewhere on here that being broody raises body temp, so lowering body temp breaks it. Some people were talking about putting a frozen waterbottle under the hen, or even dunking her in cold water. You can't stop her from going broody, but you may be able to end it sooner.

I tried that, but apparently Cochins are really prone to broodiness. Blondie gave up after the requisit 21 days, but started showing some broody behavior last week (we have had crazy weather and I couldn't even collect her eggs due to all the ice). But I moved the chickens to indoor cages, and I think that may've halted the process.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Don't dunk them in cold water, only cool, and then only on warm days. I did that with a persistently broody Buff Orpington hen a few years baak, and in a very short time her body heat actually warmed the water! But once she was wet and walking around, the water evaporating from her body did, I think, help to cool her a bit. And into Broody Jail she went!