Dolly Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Well it looks like we have our first broody hen. I've read the article in another post on the subject about how to identify them and we've definately got one! I'm going to try the 'dunking in water' method but in case that doesn't work, can anyone advise me on the best size dog crate for use as a broody cage? I'd be very grateful and so would our other two girls who are crossing their legs as we speak! Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Dunking worked for me! There's pics on here somewhere!!!!! Good luck.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 I just use one of those plasticised wire pet carriers - cheaper than a dog crate and easier to fit inside the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 I bought a hampster cage in a charity shop, got rid of all the gubbins, turned it upside down so the chicken was sitting on wire and put it on two house bricks, voila a broody cage. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 That's excellent Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 I use an old chinchilla cage that a neighbour was going to get rid of. Does the trick every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolly Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Thanks for your help everyone. Brilliant idea about the hamster case Tessa, I hadn't thought of using anything like that - I might even have something along those lines in the loft I can use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggalp Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 i have to admit to being very naughty when i had a broody hen last year - i stole a shopping trolley from our local supermarket! It was absolutely perfect and i made a lid from chicken wire so she couldn't escape, and at night wheeled her into the garage and wheeled her back out in the mornings. She was in there for three days and it worked a treat. I am hoping she doesn't go broody again this year - but if she does i will be heading straight down to the supermarket again.............................. (i did return the trolley by the way - after giving it a good hosing down! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiocciare Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Thats brilliant!!! Will be checking any trolly I use in the future for chicken poo and feathers Thats better than having a broody chook in the bathroom at the same time as a house full of people staying over for your grandads funeral, like I did last summer I don't recommend it, Golly would now rather be a dog than a chicken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 I bought a dog crate from Ebay which was about £20, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Very clever Tessa! Maybe a big shopping basket would be better than a trolley Chicken in a basket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hangman Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Let usually let the broodies stay in the hen house, but when our cream legbar was incubating an egg, we put her in the cat carrier inside a dog crate (extra security - hens do not like to be "out in the open" when they're nesting). http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm284/iabt_hangman/IMG_0857.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
