Trying to break Miss Broody

[DucksKayak]

If it's been a month, she likely won't break as easily as if you'd started caging from the start. So the typical advice of "around 3 days" in the breaker may not apply here. In the future, if you don't plan on hatching, best to break broodiness promptly.

I agree bedding should be removed, she needs cold air to get under her to cool off her belly, which is why a wire floor cage is usually recommended as a breaker.

Makes sense! I am a chicken novice and this is my first time dealing with a broody. She is the first one! We don’t even have any roosters so no possibilities of babies. I thought there was something wrong with her at first. It took me a while to figure it out. Going to try all the tips I can! Thanks!

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

I agree with advice above.. no bedding, cage off the ground.. And shes in the cage day and NIGHT. 3 days, 3 nights. Let her out at the end of her jail time and if she's still broody, back in the cage. Good luck!

 

[Painted Calls]

Raise the crate up a bit higher than 4 inches, too. Try 8 inches instead.

I see that you have bedding on the bottom. Is there a tray there that she's on as well?

 

[DucksKayak]

Hmm. How peculiar!

There is a simple, old folk way that is extremely effective. Put her under some cold water for a few seconds. Repeat for a couple of days. Don't soak her! It is guaranteed to break the brooding. Some people don't like it, because it seems cruel, but it really isn't. It doesn't harm them in any way.

Of course, do it only when it is warm outside. They should be brooding only when it is warm anyway, but I don't know your condition.

There is a simple, old folk way that is extremely effective. Put her under some cold water for a few seconds. Repeat for a couple of days. Don't soak her! It is guaranteed to break the brooding. Some people don't like it, because it seems cruel, but it really isn't. It doesn't harm them in any way.

Of course, do it only when it is warm outside. They should be brooding only when it is warm anyway, but I don't know your condition

There is a simple, old folk way that is extremely effective. Put her under some cold water for a few seconds. Repeat for a couple of days. Don't soak her! It is guaranteed to break the brooding. Some people don't like it, because it seems cruel, but it really isn't. It doesn't harm them in any way.

Of course, do it only when it is warm outside. They should be brooding only when it is warm anyway, but I don't know your condition.

That might be tricky. I live in Maine, USA and it’s below freezing pretty much every day. The coop is heated, but just at night (set on a timer). Maybe that’s why she went broody- from the heat from the coop making it feel like spring? I could put the crate in the garage, which is a little warmer. Might try this last. See how the other tips go. Thank you!

 

[DucksKayak]

Raise the crate up a bit higher than 4 inches, too. Try 8 inches instead.

I see that you have bedding on the bottom. Is there a tray there that she's on as well?

Yes, it’s a dog crate that has a removable plastic tray bottom. The crate is in a little dog house type building, which the base is made from a pallet. I could try putting the crate in the garage too, if it’s just a matter of temperature

 

[DucksKayak]

I'm betting she skipped that chapter in 'How to be a typical chicken class.' LOL!

I've read of a few broody leghorns on this site. Few and far between from my understanding.

You probably know better than I do! I am a chicken novice. No roosters around. Had chickens for a couple years now and she’s the first to go broody, and it’s quite cold out because I live in Maine, USA. There is another leghorn, a couple Rhode Island reds, and a few ameraucanas. She’s the only broody one. First time I have dealt with it. I thought there was something wrong with her, at first

 

[Painted Calls]

Yes, it’s a dog crate that has a removable plastic tray bottom. The crate is in a little dog house type building, which the base is made from a pallet. I could try putting the crate in the garage too, if it’s just a matter of temperature

The tray needs to come out too. She needs to be on direct wire. Most holes in the bottom of dog crates are too big for chickens to safely walk on. What I do is get a roll of hardware cloth, measure the bottom of the crate on the inside, and cut a piece to fit. I secure it with bread ties.

Chickens can go broody whenever they want. Most are just more prone to do it in the spring/summer. I have broodies all year long.

 

[DucksKayak]

The tray needs to come out too. She needs to be on direct wire. Most holes in the bottom of dog crates are too big for chickens to safely walk on. What I do is get a roll of hardware cloth, measure the bottom of the crate on the inside, and cut a piece to fit. I secure it with bread ties.

Chickens can go broody whenever they want. Most are just more prone to do it in the spring/summer. I have broodies all year long.

Good to know! There is a pallet under the dog crate. I just took the tray out and she is walking fine on it. But hopefully she won’t get too cozy now! I’ll keep an eye on her.

 

[DucksKayak]

Good to know! There is a pallet under the dog crate. I just took the tray out and she is walking fine on it. But hopefully she won’t get too cozy now! I’ll keep an eye on her.

 

[DucksKayak]

Is that a brown leghorn?

Oh, you know what? I think she is actually a Welsummer. I spoke too soon and I’m remembering now. That might explain the broodiness better