Unwanted Brooding, What To Do?

[Susan Dye]

If you say please, I will

If you don't want her to hatch out chicks, best to break her broodiness promptly.
My experience went like this: After her setting for 3 days and nights in the nest, I put her in a wire dog crate with smaller wire on the bottom but no bedding, set up on a couple of 4x4's right in the coop with feed and water.

I used to let them out a couple times a day, but now just once a day in the evening(you don't have to) and she would go out into the run, drop a huge turd, race around running, take a vigorous dust bath then head back to the nest... at which point I put her back in the crate. Each time her outings would lengthen a bit, eating, drinking and scratching more and on the 3rd afternoon she stayed out of the nest and went to roost that evening...event over, back to normal tho she didn't lay for another week or two. Or take her out of crate daily very near roosting time(30-60 mins) if she goes to roost great, if she goes to nest put her back in crate.
Feed and water added after pic was taken.

Thank you for the info and the pics Very helpful.

 

[ChickenLady2014]

She's going on 3 days. I had to put a screen window in the coop door because it was getting way too hot in there by mid afternoon. Next question, which might be a silly question, but can/should I put both chickens in the same wire bottom crate?

I have, but it all depends on the bird & their pecking order. Some I had great success, others were way too ornery to put up with another hen in their space. I would say try it, if they get to fighting too much remove one & find a different location for the other bird. Remember too that some broodies are just nasty mean. I have had a couple like that. This is a great time of year for garage sales, keep a lookout for extra wire cages selling cheaply. That is how I got all of mine.

 

[ChickenLady2014]

Thanks so much. I don't have a wire crate of any sort right now, but looks like one is in order. Wonder how she would react if I squirt her belly with cool water? LOL

Lol, she will get mad but that's ok. I have even dunked my tough broodies in a kiddie wading pool. As long as they are getting food, water & are in a safe environment they will eventually break. Some are harder than others, best of luck.

 

[lazy gardener]

I break my broody in a chicken tractor. Every morning, I get out bright and early. I pull her out of the nest box the first morning, and toss her in the tractor with feed and water. At dusk, I block the nest boxes off, then let her out of the tractor. I stick around to see to it that she goes up on the perch instead of hunkering down in the coop bedding. Rinse and repeat the next day. Continue till she breaks her broodiness. usually takes 3 - 4 days.

 

[Susan Dye]

I break my broody in a chicken tractor. Every morning, I get out bright and early. I pull her out of the nest box the first morning, and toss her in the tractor with feed and water. At dusk, I block the nest boxes off, then let her out of the tractor. I stick around to see to it that she goes up on the perch instead of hunkering down in the coop bedding. Rinse and repeat the next day. Continue till she breaks her broodiness. usually takes 3 - 4 days.

You may be a "Lazy Gardener" (so am I), but you certainly are no lazy "Flock Master"!

 

[lazy gardener]

I find the tractor and nightly routine to be far easier than the dog crate, b/c my dog would not want to share the crate with her!!!

 

[ChickenLady2014]

I find the tractor and nightly routine to be far easier than the dog crate, b/c my dog would not want to share the crate with her!!!

 

[dunnmom]

I start by getting her out of the nest box whenever I catch her sitting, and then block them off overnight so no one can sleep in there. I also try cooling her off by making her sit in cool water for a few minutes. If you try that, wear gloves and sleeves, because if she struggles you could get scratched. If all that does no good after a few days, I go for a broody breaking cage. Many people go straight for the cage because it's supposed to be the fastest way, and most effective for more stubborn broodies.

 

[Susan Dye]

I find the tractor and nightly routine to be far easier than the dog crate, b/c my dog would not want to share the crate with her!!!

LOL

 

[ChickenLady2014]

I start by getting her out of the nest box whenever I catch her sitting, and then block them off overnight so no one can sleep in there. I also try cooling her off by making her sit in cool water for a few minutes. If you try that, wear gloves and sleeves, because if she struggles you could get scratched. If all that does no good after a few days, I go for a broody breaking cage. Many people go straight for the cage because it's supposed to be the fastest way, and most effective for more stubborn broodies.

Good call on the gloves & long sleeves. I've had my share of viscous broodies & they are really good at tearing your arms up when dealing with them. Or you have the broody that nails you 3 times in the top of your hand with her beak before you can even get a hand under her.