Stopping a Broody Hen

[Chickens-246]

I would like some suggestions on how to stop my broody hen from nesting. She is not sitting on any eggs and I don't have a roo. When I remove her she puffs out and immediately returns to the nest after taking outside. My coop gets pretty hot and she is panting. I really don't want her to die trying to hatch straw.

 

[SpottedCrow]

Penny's been broody twice since I got her. The first time was for 6 weeks before she finally snapped out of it. I didn't mind letting her sit because it was the winter and cold. This past time I tossed her out as soon as she laid her egg and wouldn't let her back in. I closed off the cat carrier and closed the door so she couldn't get back in to set under the chair either. She tried for over two weeks before she figured out that I wasn't going to let her set. It's been another two weeks and she's started laying again.

I also put ice packs in the carrier, and taking anything comfy out of the carrier.

 

[JamesC]

The quickest method to break up a broody is to put her in a wire cage - wire all sides, top and bottom - don't put anything in the cage except containers for food and water.. Suspend the cage or put it on blocks off the ground. Give her food and water and she should break up in about 3 days. If after 3 days she goes back to her nest, put her back in the cage for a couple more. It's best to put the cage somewhere other than the coop where she can see her nest or she will go crazy trying to get back to it.

James

 

[bantymum]

Yes I agree, i do exactly the same, put her in wire cage with airflow underneath her, by way of bricks wetc, but if it is hot, place the cage in the shade and make sure water dish cannot be spilt.
Some breeds take longer to psyche out of it than others!!

 

[Chickens-246]

Will the wire cage scenario still work if I let her roost in the coop at night? She is back in the nest at the crack of dawn and it is several hours before I can move her back in the cage.

 

[bantymum]

Yes. I have had to remove my hens from cage at night when its really cold!!then replace back in clucky cage in the morning!
Otherwise I cover the clucky cage with a large towel and let them sleep in there.
Sorry for late reply, I had to topup my internet a/c

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

Last time we had a hen go broody we moved our brooder from the garage to the hen house. I swear just hearing the little peeps snapped her out of it.
Either that or their constant peeping just plain drove her out of the coop

 

[Hope119]

Our #1 broody's chicks were about 4 weeks old when we moved incubator chicks from brooder into the coop and very soon mama hen was done being broody. Now, 1month 20days later, she is broody again!! this is her 3rd time being broody, she is just 14 months old and not a Silky!
I guess we might need to use that wire cage method. Her having babies again would mean longer no-eggs period from her, as I understand.