Tractor breaking broody

[lazy gardener]

Nellie was seriously broody. It took 4 days to break her by placing her in a bare ground tractor all day, every day. At the end of each day, I'd let her out of the tractor to rejoin the rest of the flock, and block off the nest boxes. She had no choice but to sleep on the roosts. I was pleased at how well this worked, and it was the easiest solution in my case b/c I had the tractor sitting empty.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Whatever works, right? Mine get put into a pen with a young rooster who keeps them from setting. I've also put them on a concrete floor. Chicken tractor sounds like a great option too, sometimes just relocating them is enough.

 

[bobbi-j]

Oh, LG, I wish you lived closer to me. I'd have given you some eggs for her to hatch so I could replenish my predator-ravaged flock. Of the three hens I have left, one had gone broody once this summer, right before they got cleaned by whatever got most of my flock. Pretty sure I'm not going to see another broody until next spring. Even then, I'm thinking chances are slim.

 

[lazy gardener]

BJ, IF YOU LIVED CLOSER, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A VIABLE OPTION. I HAD ACTUALLY TALKED WITH A FRIEND. SHE WAS GOING TO BE MY PLAN B. IF NELLIE HADN'T BROKE BY SAT. I WAS GOING TO SET HER, AND GIVE THE CHICKS TO MY FRIEND WHEN THEY WERE WEANED... OF COURSE, IF THERE WERE SOME ABSOLUTELY AWESOME CHICKS, I'D HAVE BEEN COMPELLED TO KEEP JUST ONE OR TWO. I HAVE 2 CONFIRMED DAUGHTERS OF NELLIE. SHE'S MY MOST HUMAN FRIENDLY BIRD. AND HER DTRS ARE FOLLOWING IN HER FOOT STEPS.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Sigh. I've been wishing for a broody for the last 3 years and everyone else seems to get them!

That's a great idea on the tractor.