What should I do with my broody hen while we are away for 5 days?

Flixflaxnoob

Songster
Jan 5, 2024
84
163
103
Pennsylvania
We are going away for 5 days next week and my white rock is currently broody (for the second time this year!). Last time she went broody, I just took her out of the nesting box everyday in the afternoon until she stopped being broody (10 days). When she was locked out, she would be out with the other chickens most of the time, but may go to bed earlier.

Today is day 4 of her being broody and she will eat and drink when locked out of the nesting box, but will then just roost the rest of the day until I open the coop back up at dusk. I decided to put her in this smaller wire crate on top of our brooder hoping it will break her broody cycle but I'm not sure how to tell when it's worked. Assuming she remains broody when we leave, it would also be a simpler set up for our neighbor to deal with when collecting eggs. Would this be okay? Any other recommendations? I will also put a dish of feed in there with her. I'm also hoping it helps that she will be able to see our two new pullets. So she's not completely alone.
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We are going away for 5 days next week and my white rock is currently broody (for the second time this year!). Last time she went broody, I just took her out of the nesting box everyday in the afternoon until she stopped being broody (10 days). When she was locked out, she would be out with the other chickens most of the time, but may go to bed earlier.

Today is day 4 of her being broody and she will eat and drink when locked out of the nesting box, but will then just roost the rest of the day until I open the coop back up at dusk. I decided to put her in this smaller wire crate on top of our brooder hoping it will break her broody cycle but I'm not sure how to tell when it's worked. Assuming she remains broody when we leave, it would also be a simpler set up for our neighbor to deal with when collecting eggs. Would this be okay? Any other recommendations? I will also put a dish of feed in there with her. I'm also hoping it helps that she will be able to see our two new pullets. So she's not completely alone.
View attachment 4131322
She also doesn't seem broody in this crate. She hasn't settled, which I guess makes sense, but making me question if i should be doing this method at all.
 
Leaving in 5 days.
She should break before you leave. Take her out about an hour before roost time 3 days from now and see what she does. You should find her on the roost when you do lock up. If she's gone back to a nest box, put her back in the crate and try again the next night.
 

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