Impossible to break brooder!

[CJReni]

We have a little bantam hen that is next to impossible to break. We've tried multiple "jail" like approaches from multiple chicken forums and articles. She will go to laying, but then about a week later she'll get broody. Would it be best for us to allow her to hatch a fertile egg? Any suggestions are much appreciated.

 

[chikkenfriend]

I'm really curious. Why would you want to stop her? We can't wait for our next broody. It sounds like you've got a great one! If it were me, I'd put a bunch of eggs under her!!

I'd say good luck but it sounds like you don't need any more!!

 

[fshinggrl]

I've tried putting a broody in cold water, snow bank and just kicking her off the next repeatedly. Nothing worked. I decided to go with the flow and let them hatch. Good luck. That instinct is just so strong in some birds. I am hoping one of mine next summer goes broody.

 

[Twinkkitten]

I give my broody birdies a cool bath and remove their nest. Then feed a treat like watermelon or dried worms. Sometimes it can take 3 or more cool baths. It lowers their hormonal levels. I have read that it is too hot where I live to allow them to sit. If I do not take the nest they go right back. They then go to some other next to lay.

 

[Twinkkitten]

I have to stop mine because I live in Arizona and it's too hot, its buggy. The risk of them getting sick or overheated. I do not have roosters either. From what I have read, its best not to let hens sit on unfertile eggs.

 

[Julessrq]

I live in Florida and it's been a hot and dry summer here! I have a young, very broody bantam too! Everyday I made sure I took her down so she would eat and drink and give treats when I did it.... It took about 6 weeks and lots of patience but has been "normal" with the other girls ever since!! If I had known bantams were so fussy I probably wouldn't have chosen that breed as I only have 4 girls! But they are family now, so no turning back!! Good luck!

 

[CJReni]

I'm really curious. Why would you want to stop her? We can't wait for our next broody. It sounds like you've got a great one! If it were me, I'd put a bunch of eggs under her!!

I'd say good luck but it sounds like you don't need any more!!

Well, we don't really have a great place to raise chicks. We let our girls free range on out land. We have hawks, other predator birds, as well as other little creatures. We also don't have a rooster, but we are to the point we are just going to go ahead and get a few for her.

 

[CJReni]

Tri

I have to stop mine because I live in Arizona and it's too hot, its buggy. The risk of them getting sick or overheated. I do not have roosters either. From what I have read, its best not to let hens sit on unfertile eggs.

We've tried the cool bath trick too, multiple times. Nothing. She just has a strong instinct.

 

[Twinkkitten]

My turkey Lurkey was terribly broody in June. I just blocked off her nest and kept bathing and feeding her treats. And one of my barred rocks was also stubborn. Good luck.

 

[chikkenfriend]

Well, we don't really have a great place to raise chicks. We let our girls free range on out land. We have hawks, other predator birds, as well as other little creatures. We also don't have a rooster, but we are to the point we are just going to go ahead and get a few for her.

Yeah, predators are trouble. I always have a gun out on the porch.

We bought eggs before we got our Roos. Our boys are still young, though. If we get a broody now I'll go buy eggs again!

As for space, we have room to free-range, and I built tractor coops for sleeping/laying. Our birds come in on their own just before dark.

Best of luck to ya!