HENthusiastic Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 HI. Ive just finished building this. Is it okay. I'm worried that the weldmesh will hurt her poor little feet! I know Ive posted pictures before, but I cant work out how to do it now.... sorry if these are too big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 Just popped in to suggest that you could protect your hen from predators by bringing the broody cage inside your house at night. And don't forget newspapers for the floor! Best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 That's fine. You'll need to think about how you are going to give food and water. I found bowls were knocked over immediately so I had to buy the bowls that hang on the side. I also covered the cage at night just incase a fox wandered by, I didn't want her to have kittens seeing a fox licking its lips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 I've resized the photo for you. If you need to post any more, could you just post a link to the photo instead of the photo instead by removing the brackets if you're unable to resize them please as anyone wanting to view them can just click the link instead . Thanks . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 I found bowls were knocked over immediately so I had to buy the bowls that hang on the side. Same here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted May 10, 2008 Author Share Posted May 10, 2008 WOW hows that for a fast response? Thanks guys. Thanks and sorry superkate! I shall do better in future Newspaper? I'm confused, I thought the whole point was to get them cool and drafty, wont newspaper just keep her snug and warm? I will set to work to construct a feeder and drinker that can be hung up somehow. Thanks guys. I am going to put the whole thing in the foxproof walk in run, so she will be safe from Mr and Mrs Foxy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 The cage look fine but i would raise it up a bit higher, the idea is that the cool air wafts underneath the cage to cool down the underside of your broody hen. While she is in the cage just feed her wheat and water she won't need layers meal or pellets, I have had good results with an anti- broody cage, last time I used it on Bunty it only took 3 days to break her...............Good luck i hope it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted May 10, 2008 Author Share Posted May 10, 2008 OK thanks. I'll raise it up higher. Do you think it needs to be lined with newspaper to protect her feet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckmomma Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 Hi I might be wrong but I think the newspaper might have been suggested for underneath the cage if you are bringing the cage in at night, so you don't get poop all over the floor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 Her feet should be OK on the mesh the idea is that she is uncomfortable and doesn't want to sit............It is a little cruel but if you have tried everything else and she still persists then this should do the trick. It might be best to put the cage in the garage or safe shed over night rather then the house. I leave mine out side but my garden is safe from foxes, so I know the hen won't come to any harm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 It looks good. I would raise it up on bricks to allow the cool breezes to work their magic, and as someone else said, put it in the shed or similar at night. Don't worry about the floor being uncomfortable, if she can't sit, it will snap her out of it all the quicker. I would bother with newspaper underneath it on the outside only if you are bringing it inside. Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 Yes, sorry. I should have said more clearly that if you brought the broody cage inside your house (the only safe option for me), you should put down newspapers to protect your floor from the poo! Your hen is a lucky (if annoying at the moment) girl! Very impressive handiwork! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted May 10, 2008 Author Share Posted May 10, 2008 Right....... broody cage raised up higher and moved inside the coop. (I realise it was me being silly about the newspaper thingy!) I am feeling rotten about it, but I'm going to do it. Ive been in the garden ALL day today with her and so she hasn't brooded at all, just opened her house and she was in and fluffed up within minutes! So its the cage for her tonight, Feed and water hung up. Thanks for your help. Is it okay to let her out to roam the garden tomorow if Im there to make sure she doesnot sit down? Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 You can but if she sits down for a moment she'll have to go back into the broody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 You need to keep her in the broody cage 24/7 for around 3 days - that'll do it. I put my cage inside the eglu run so that it's under cover and she's still with the other girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted May 11, 2008 Author Share Posted May 11, 2008 Well, I put her in the broody cage last night before going out for the evening. I checked her when I got back at midnight and she had broken out!!! She had actually managed to push one of the top strats up and had put herself back in the house on her nest. It was NAILED into place! Hows that for a strong chicken? I've decided to let her get on with it. I'm just going to try to get her to eat as much as I can and wait for her to get over it in her own time. She must have been really distressed to have broken out like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogs and chickens Posted May 11, 2008 Share Posted May 11, 2008 Bless her, I had a broody a short while ago! She was a right pain who stopped the others laying. In the end I used a broody cage. She stayed in 24/7 for about 3 days. She is now laying again and none the worse for her shut up stage! You have one strong determined chicken there! Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 Blimey...she is determined isn't she! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
