Tips for a Broody Cage

[Mimi13]

I am overrun with broodies right now. Not quite as many as extra cockerels; however, they are in a cage waiting on this weekend.

In a pinch, what could I use (or make) as a broody cage? I am out of my quick setup wire dog cages. I know the bottom has to be wire for there to be a coolness underneath her.

Usually I can think of something, but I woke up to TWO more broodies. And you know how it is when you’re looking for something in a hurry? You just can’t find it to save your life. Well that’s where I am right now, I just can’t seem to think of something to rig up. My ingenuity has let me down this morning.

Please if anyone has suggestions I could sure use them right about now.

Thanks bunches.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Put two or three broodies in one cage. I've had as many as three in my broody buster at one time.

 

[Mimi13]

Put two or three broodies in one cage. I've had as many as three in my broody buster at one time.

And I actually thought about putting them together, but wondered if they’d be good roommates given their puffed up hateful selves. If another one goes broody that’s what I’ll have to do.

However, I was able to throw something together after I sat down a took a moment to think. With my uncaged broody running loose in my DH’s office (shhh, he’ll never know), I rummaged through some stuff my DS and DIL had not taken to their new house yet. Alas, I found the bottom rack and poles to a clothes rack she had. I ran wire coat hangers around the top and then secured pieces of plastic, garden netting to the sides and top with none other than orange twine. Yep, if this isn’t straight from “Hillbillies of the Chicken World” I don’t know what would be. Threw in some feed and a nipple drinker, and wa-lah, homemade broody cage. It ain’t purdy, but purdy doesn’t always work. I think I’m gonna invest in a rabbit hutch that can be sectioned off for times like these.

Here are the newest inmates of the Broody Correctional Cage(s)! And they already have curious onlookers thanking their lucky stars it’s not them.

And yeah, the new occupant does not like it. What should I expect with a Cochin and an Orpington? Really now!

Thank you, thank you @Ridgerunner for offering your advice.

 

[aart]

Necessity is the mother of invention!
Can she drink out of the vertical nipple being so low?
You have my sympathies, have had 2 broodies this spring, both broken a couple times already. Gave one some eggs to hatch, and then the other went again, just keep tossing her and she's leaving tomorrow anyway...good riddance!

 

[MROO]

And I actually thought about putting them together, but wondered if they’d be good roommates given their puffed up hateful selves. If another one goes broody that’s what I’ll have to do.

However, I was able to throw something together after I sat down a took a moment to think. With my uncaged broody running loose in my DH’s office (shhh, he’ll never know), I rummaged through some stuff my DS and DIL had not taken to their new house yet. Alas, I found the bottom rack and poles to a clothes rack she had. I ran wire coat hangers around the top and then secured pieces of plastic, garden netting to the sides and top with none other than orange twine. Yep, if this isn’t straight from “Hillbillies of the Chicken World” I don’t know what would be. Threw in some feed and a nipple drinker, and wa-lah, homemade broody cage. It ain’t purdy, but purdy doesn’t always work. I think I’m gonna invest in a rabbit hutch that can be sectioned off for times like these.

Here are the newest inmates of the Broody Correctional Cage(s)! And they already have curious onlookers thanking their lucky stars it’s not them.
View attachment 1769115
View attachment 1769117

And yeah, the new occupant does not like it. What should I expect with a Cochin and an Orpington? Really now! View attachment 1769116


Thank you, thank you @Ridgerunner for offering your advice.

Aww C'mon. Where's your sense of adventure? Let 'em brood. I'm SURE you need 150 more chicks, right now, right? I hope you've invested in some armored gloves. If your broodies are anything like my little monsters, you're gonna need 'em till the urge passes!

 

[Mimi13]

Necessity is the mother of invention!
Can she drink out of the vertical nipple being so low?
You have my sympathies, have had 2 broodies this spring, both broken a couple times already. Gave one some eggs to hatch, and then the other went again, just keep tossing her and she's leaving tomorrow anyway...good riddance!

I am pretty good at coming up with stuff on the fly, but just drew a blank this morning. I raised that drinker pretty soon after taking the photo. Once the bird was put in there I saw that it was too low.

I already had Molly Marans go broody last week and no sooner than breaking her, boom, here are these two nuts. Life with chickens I suppose.

I really would like to see how my 3yo BO would be as a broody, but lord help, I can’t afford any more chickens right now. The 44 I have are eating me out of house and home since I am not turning them out until about 1 or 2 in the afternoon for a few weeks to get the 4 pullets used to laying in the coop...not in the deepest, darkest corner of the barn behind a grease bucket that the cockerel showed them. Ugh, crazy birds.

 

[Mimi13]

Aww C'mon. Where's your sense of adventure? Let 'em brood. I'm SURE you need 150 more chicks, right now, right? I hope you've invested in some armored gloves. If your broodies are anything like my little monsters, you're gonna need 'em till the urge passes!

I am fortunate one has never pecked me. But they growl worse than any gator and I don’t know how every single feather can stand on end making the bird twice her size. It is amazing.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Hi, I totally understand your frustration. This is what I did. I have two small coops (Roy's Roost and Betsy's Bliss) placed in my spice garden in the backyard. I use these for broody breakers, hospitals, or for broody hens.

There is enough room for one bird in one and two birds in the other. This way I am able to keep them safe and secure outdoors but within sight of the rest of the flock. They work really well for me. Right now I have a Silkie raising 7 chicks in Roy's Roost.

Here is a pic of my set up for broody/broody breaking purposes.

Betsy's Bliss: One chicken

Roy's Roost: two chickens or a momma with chicks

View of both coops

Miss Donna rinsing her brood of 7 in Roy's Roost

 

[MROO]

I am fortunate one has never pecked me. But they growl worse than any gator and I don’t know how every single feather can stand on end making the bird twice her size. It is amazing.

You Lucky Duck! I have one particular hen (actually still a pullet) who is so adamant about defending her nest that she draws blood - and she's a teeny little 18 oz Nankin bantam!

 

[Mimi13]

Hi, I totally understand your frustration. This is what I did. I have two small coops (Roy's Roost and Betsy's Bliss) placed in my spice garden in the backyard. I use these for broody breakers, hospitals, or for broody hens.

There is enough room for one bird in one and two birds in the other. This way I am able to keep them safe and secure outdoors but within sight of the rest of the flock. They work really well for me. Right now I have a Silkie raising 7 chicks in Roy's Roost.

Here is a pic of my set up for broody/broody breaking purposes.

Betsy's Bliss: One chicken

View attachment 1769931
Roy's Roost: two chickens or a momma with chicks
View attachment 1769932
View of both coops
View attachment 1769933
Miss Donna rinsing her brood of 7 in Roy's Roost
View attachment 1769934

I love your set up and those chicks are adorable.