Possible Broody Hen

[CKfarm22]

I have a, probably about a 5 month old, SF. She just started laying a couple weeks ago. She’s gotten into the habit of laying on the eggs for about 4 hours everyday, but she’d get up and carry on with her day. Last night, I collected the eggs and left the fake eggs in the nesting box. When it was time to go to bed, she hopped into the nesting and laid on the fake eggs. I went in to see what she was doing, and she was squawking at me and her feathers were all puffed (i know this could be a sign on broodiness). She shad stayed in the same spot now for over 12 hours. I’m assuming she’s broody? Is there a way I can break this?

 

[fluffycrow]

It's very likely she's broody, yes. One of the best ways to break a broody is the dog kennel method

 

[CKfarm22]

It's very likely she's broody, yes. One of the best ways to break a broody is the dog kennel method

What’s that?

 

[DobieLover]

I’m assuming she’s broody? Is there a way I can break this?

She's broody and you caught it early.
Set her up in an elevated wire dog crate like this.

The piece of wood is for her to perch on so she doesn't have to sit directly on the wire floor.
It's important that the crate be wire and not plastic with a solid bottom as you need her to be unable to nest and have lots of air flow around her.
I would crate her and leave her there for three days and 2 nights. Let her out about an hour before roost time at the end of the third day and see if she heads to the roosts with the flock. If she goes back to the nest box, crate her again and try again the next day. Continue until she roosts.

 

[CKfarm22]

She's broody and you caught it early.
Set her up in an elevated wire dog crate like this.
View attachment 3407931
The piece of wood is for her to perch on so she doesn't have to sit directly on the wire floor.
It's important that the crate be wire and not plastic with a solid bottom as you need her to be unable to nest and have lots of air flow around her.
I would crate her and leave her there for three days and 2 nights. Let her out about an hour before roost time at the end of the third day and see if she heads to the roosts with the flock. If she goes back to the nest box, crate her again and try again the next day. Continue until she roosts.

Is a small one like pictured okay?

 

[DobieLover]

Is a small one like pictured okay?

Of course. That is my main broody breaker.

 

[CKfarm22]

Of course. That is my main broody breaker.

Good to know, guess i’m going to TSC tonight for a dog crate lol.

24” is okay?

 

[DobieLover]

Good to know, guess i’m going to TSC tonight for a dog crate lol.

24” is okay?

Look on FB Marketplace and your local CL first.
The one pictured is 18" x 12" x 14". I've broken a large Australorp in it.

 

[CKfarm22]

Look on FB Marketplace and your local CL first.
The one pictured is 18" x 12" x 14". I've broken a large Australorp in it.

I ended up getting a rabbit cage, 24x24 for cheaper

 

[CKfarm22]

And… just as i was going to get up this morning and cage her, she decided to stop being broody and not lay me any eggs today.