The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: JMB on July 20, 2014, 06:25:42 pm
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Hi.
We have 3 broody hens that seem to have been like this for weeks.
I can't block up the nesting boxes or nobody else will get in.
I shut it up in the evening and leave them out for a few hours before bed, but then they just go straight back in the nesting box.
I've read about making a broody cage.
I was wondering if I could make one big one and put them all in? Or would they need one each?
Thank you
Joanne xxxx
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Our broody buff orp hens hog the nest boxes so we just leave the top open & that seems to discourage them enough to leave the box.
After being disturbed every day for a few days they seem to forget being broody.
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Oh I've tried that and everything else!
We've had hens for 4 years and I've never seen this before. We are on our 3rd week and it seems to be contagious !
This cage idea is a last resort I think
J xxx
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Have you tried penning them off so they are completely away from any comfy spots for a (dry) day or two? That broke my broody this summer - oh, and second time getting her eggs also made her realise she didn't want to brood.
But back to your question, yes, I would imagine a broody cage would work for all of them unless they all cuddle up together in one corner!
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That's a good idea.
I've got heras fencing.
Would I leave them out overnight?
I was thinking I could put a cage in the hen house, but the heras fencing would be an easier option if I could leave them out.
Thanks
Joanne
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I guess it depends how confident you feel with predators around you. No system is entirely predator proof. Also whether there is any chance it could rain because that wouldn't be good for them. I just left her out by day. At dusk moved her back into her pen and her house. Then in the morning picked her out of the house and back into the other pen. First day she went back to being broody when she returned to the house. Second day she'd forgotten about it.
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A dog cage is good, but won't stop two foxes (or dogs) from chasing them across the cage so they put their head through the side and it gets bitten off. Seen it happen twice. So it must be located in a secure enclosure.
If you use a dog cage fix 12mm weld mesh inside to stop that happening. They must be outside, raised slightly to get a draught underneath, sheltered from rain and with food and water. So I think you will struggle to get all three in even a large cage. Put it in the coop and it just becomes 'a nest box with extra facilities'.