Madder than a wet hen

[Mrs. K]

ok, so my niece has a broody hen, and we did stick eggs under her, but (maybe temperatures of 112) nothing hatched. She needs to break out of the broody spell. So I took a bucket of cool water, gave her a dip, and put her in an elevated cage with food and water. I will keep a close eye on her... any advice. In all the years of having chickens, I have never had to break one.

Mrs K

 

[neo71665]

It's take awhile

 

[aart]

If it's that hot you may want to bring her somewhere cooler for a few hours.

 

[Acre4Me]

I’ve had success putting them in a less familiar place -although close to flock. One option is a pen I have about 5’ away from the chicken run. The other is a big brooder box that has a door that opens into the run, where I can put a portable fence up. Sometimes just the act of separation (although within sight and sound of the flock) makes them focus on trying to get back with the flock. Not having a nest in this less familiar area helps break their trance, and finally, giving them yummy food (dry with a bit of seeds/scratch or wet feed with seeds) gives them energy and it seems to help too.

no reason not to let the chicken get fully wet in some cold water for a few minutes (body, not head neck) but, for fluffy breeds, will need to blow dry their under fluff. Luckily, they like the blow dryer.

good luck!

 

[Mrs. K]

About how long...and how do you know when you are done?

 

[Acre4Me]

About how long...and how do you know when you are done?

How long? Depends on the bird - some are more stubborn.

When done with broodiness? When she is interested in her surroundings, walking around, perching. When she no longer flattens into a pancake or makes broody/mad/unique sounds. When she is no longer in a trancelike state when sitting.

 

[Mrs. K]

Are we talking 24 hours, 3-5 days, or more?

 

[NatJ]

Are we talking 24 hours, 3-5 days, or more?

3 days and nights is probably the most common time to break a broody. A few go faster, some take longer.

 

[aart]

About how long...and how do you know when you are done?

My experience goes about like this: After her setting for 3 days and nights in the nest (or as soon as I know they are broody), I put her in a wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller wire(1x2) on the bottom but no bedding, set up on a couple of 4x4's right in the coop or run with feed and water.

After 48 hours I let her out of crate very near roosting time(30-60 mins) if she goes to roost great, if she goes to nest put her back in crate for another 48 hours.

Tho not necessary a chunk of 2x4 for a 'roost' was added to crate floor,
gives the feet a break from the wire floor and encourages roosting.

 

[3KillerBs]

I just let Cordon out today and she didn't go back to the nest.

So, in my limited experience with one broody 3 times this summer, 3-4 days. I followed @aart's advice carefully.