4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[fluffyknickers]

My has been broody on and off for months and wont snap out of it.

 

After the other two have laid I shut the cube so she cant go in - she sits on the ladder! As the sun goes down I open it and she jumps straight in.

 

I have dunked her a few times for a few days running.

 

I take the eggs away.

 

In the morning I have to go round and physically get her out the nest and put her in the run then shut the door.

 

She hasnt laid for a long time.

 

So only thing left is a broody cage i assume. So can I just use my dog crate but take the plastic bottom out so she will be sitting on the wire? Then put it on bricks so air gets underneath? Add food and water.

 

Question is at night do I just put her back in the cube and next mornign take her out again?

 

Michelle

[Space Chick]

I may be wrong, but I thought you had to leave them in the broody cage day and night. Never had a broody yet though, so I could be wrong

[moochoo]

Yes, the broody cage is the most guaranteed method. You need to leave her in there for a minimum of 3 days and nights , no letting her out early for good behaviour or spending nights in the eglu.

Leave her food and water as normal and wait until she snaps out of it. I usually let mine out on the afternoon of day 4 with great success.

It seems cruel but it's much better than her sitting for weeks on end losing weight and condition hatching imaginary chicks!

[fluffyknickers]

Thanks.

 

Is it not cold in there at night with no bedding and just open to the elements? During the day it wont fit in the cube run but I assume at night try and put it in because of mr fox.

 

Michelle

[poachedegg]

I think the idea is the the coolness cools the broody down as part of their broodiness is that their body temperature goes up.

 

We have a girl who has been broody 3 times now and the broody cage (we used a dog crate too) worked everytime.

[Sammy]

Thanks.

 

Is it not cold in there at night with no bedding and just open to the elements? During the day it wont fit in the cube run but I assume at night try and put it in because of mr fox.

 

Michelle

 

 

Hi Michelle

 

You and I seem to be having some kind of parallel experiences, what with the worms and broodies!!!

 

My broody is now up to 25 days old and not snapping out of it despite dunking, shutting off the nest box etc.

 

I asked the same questions as you on this forum and was told as you have 3 days and nights, food and water in the crate but keep her there. My crate also does not fit in my run so I'm starting my crate campaign today and am bringing her into the kitchen at night and putting some newspaper under the crate to catch any "toilet" overnight.

 

We should start together and compare notes!

 

Sam

[fluffyknickers]

I was going to put her in it today but decided against it as i am at work and would rather be around to check she hasnt tipped up her water and food etc and keep an eye on - so she is going in tomorrow!

 

I am hoping that I have it right and all it is is her in a mesh box with food and water and no bedding or anything - feels cruel but I am hoping it will work.

 

I sprayed her with the hose this morning and she loved it and didnt even try and escape or make a noise - little madam.

 

She now had a baldy bum as well as a baldy belly so really needs to snap out of it.

 

I wont be bringing her in the house as have the dog around and she is too noisy so will just cover it over and see if it will squeeze in the cube run at night.

 

Lets keep each other informed!

 

michelle

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I put the dog crate (with Molly in residence!) into the shed at night. It worked for me too .

[poachedegg]

You should put the crate on bricks, rather than the floor, to create an airflow to cool her down.