Should I break broody habit?

[JAR26]

Hi! I have two broody hens (going on 2 weeks now). Its the first time this happens with any if my hens and these are Plymouth rock that just turned 1 year old. They both go in the same nest. Ive blocked their nest and they just move to wherever my other hens layed their eggs. Ive tried putting them on the roost at night yet in the morning they are back at it. It is going on 2 weeks nows. Should I just wait it out and they will stop after 21 days or is this going to go on until they starve themselves? They seem to go out to eat a few times a day but not long. Should i be putting them in isolation and if so, for how long? Thx

 

[DobieLover]

You have to break them.
Set up 2 wire dog crates and elevate them. Put food and water in each, a piece of 2x4 for them to perch on and one hen in each crate. I would leave them in the crates for 2 nights and 3 days. Keep them in a secure, well ventilated area protected from direct sun. Let them out about an hour before roost time on the third day and monitor them.
If they roost with the rest of the flock, leave them. If either heads back to the nest box, lock her back in the crate for another day and release her again an hour before roost time.
Keep doing this until they roost on their own and stay out of the nest boxes.

 

[JAR26]

You have to break them.
Set up 2 wire dog crates and elevate them. Put food and water in each, a piece of 2x4 for them to perch on and one hen in each crate. I would leave them in the crates for 2 nights and 3 days. Keep them in a secure, well ventilated area protected from direct sun. Let them out about an hour before roost time on the third day and monitor them.
If they roost with the rest of the flock, leave them. If either heads back to the nest box, lock her back in the crate for another day and release her again an hour before roost time.
Keep doing this until they roost on their own and stay out of the nest boxes.

Thx for reply! I dont have acces to what you described saddly but I do have 1 very large dog crate and one mesh cage. Could I jail them together?

 

[DobieLover]

Could I jail them together?

No. Broodies are ornery critters and one may very well pummel the snot out of the other and the victim will literally be trapped with her. They must be crated separately.

 

[deidreg]

Thanks for thus thread. I was just starting to think I need to break my nine month old Salmon Faverolles hen. She's sitting clutches of eggs but not laying any of her own. Time for the dog crate. At least I can fit it in the run.

 

[aart]

Could I jail them together?

You could try, it's been done with success....depends on the birds demeanor's.

You have to break them.
Set up 2 wire dog crates and elevate them. Put food and water in each, a piece of 2x4 for them to perch on and one hen in each crate. I would leave them in the crates for 2 nights and 3 days. Keep them in a secure, well ventilated area protected from direct sun. Let them out about an hour before roost time on the third day and monitor them.
If they roost with the rest of the flock, leave them. If either heads back to the nest box, lock her back in the crate for another day and release her again an hour before roost time.
Keep doing this until they roost on their own and stay out of the nest boxes.

This^^^ is spot on...
...and here's what my broody breaker looks like.

 

[JAR26]

I hear in the dark was best or is that wrong? If they are in jail in the coop and could still see the nest box, would that make it harder? Just trying to find the best spot for them to do their time haha

 

[JAR26]

You could try, it's been done with success....depends on the birds demeanor's.


This^^^ is spot on...
...and here's what my broody breaker looks like.
View attachment 2680365

What size is that cage?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Could I jail them together?

Doesn't hurt to try - I've put 2 broodies in a cage without issue. It does need to be large enough for both of them to move around.

 

[DobieLover]

Doesn't hurt to try - I've put 2 broodies in a cage without issue. It does need to be large enough for both of them to move around.

I did. I had a beat to snot PTSD hen and an irritated hen in the morning.
The only good thing about it was they were both broken in one night. The looser stayed on the roost most of the day looking shell shocked. After that, I'd never try it again.