Unsecure chicken perches

[quickcluck]

I've got a dog crate coming. soo what's the plan?

 

do I let her sit in the tray or remove it for air flow?

 

I know I stand it on blocks with food and water in it, and that she can sleep with her girls.....

 

If I take the tray out, shall I put in something for her to perch on as surely the wire would hurt her little feet.....

 

She is VERY hot and sweaty poor thing, it's so sad, when I turfed her out she sat on the floor in the same position then just went straight back in!

 

How many days do i do think for?

 

Man This is stressful!

 

I think it's too cold for a good dunk, or should I dunk anyway?

 

Thanks

[ClaireG]

I take the tray out and put it on the top, helps stop the others pooing on the poor broody I don't give anything to perch on. I'm also cruel and don't put mine back with the others at night. I'd give it 72 hours if you can. Be prepared for a lot of boking etc. Good Luck!

[tom123]

I agree with Claire about the tray. Putting them back at night defeats the point of the cage as she'll go and sit in there

[quickcluck]

Thanks guys, I did wonder how to stop the pooing problem!!!

 

I've a feeling I need to be cruel to be kind. I was worried about her feet on the wire, I suppose she'll get used to it.

 

It will be hard over night. Shall I leave her in the WIR or put her in the shed for warmth?

[ClaireG]

If you WIR is shelterd i'd leave her in there overnight. The nights are fairly warm now and she needs to cool down.

[Tweety]

I too was worried about my broody girl's feet on the wire of the broody cage, so have put a spare set of eglu roosting bars on the floor of the cage and this arrangement seems to work well.

Keep your girl in the cage at night too - it just doesn't seem to work if you let them go back in to sleep with the others, as I have found out to my cost!

[Stevie]

Best thing is turn the dog crate upside down so the tray becomes a roof (you might need to attach it permanetly so it stays put).Then put the cage on bricks to maximise airflow underneath and leave the hen inside it for 3-5 days.Standing on the wire cage wont do her any harm and the idea is to make her as uncomfortable as possible.Dont take her out of it at night because chances are she'll go straight for the nest box and you'll be back to square one.Just make sure she has access to food and water.

 

Sometimes you've got to be cruel to be kind.

[The Dogmother]

Here you go......

[quickcluck]

Thanks am just waiting for my crate now.....

 

Am deciding whether to do it tonight or in the morning....

[Space Chick]

I also have a broody at the moment, and she shall be going to in the crate for 3 days and nights from tomorrow, it is the best thing for her, even if I do feel evil

[The Dogmother]

They're fine once they realise that they have their very own supply of food and water.

[quickcluck]

Well she is in and banging about and squarking at the top of her voice. Not nice.

 

I think the cage is too big so will look for a smaller one later.

 

We are out most of the day, do you think she will be ok?

 

Should she come out in the morning for a run around with her friends?

[poachedegg]

When we have done it, we left them in completely for the 3 days - short sharp shock and it worked.

[ClaireG]

I agree with Poached. I know it's hard but she really needs to stay in there.

[quickcluck]

Will leave her in no worries, now trying to track down a smaller cage as she is running about in this one!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

This is the size I got. It was from Ebay .

 

[Space Chick]

Mine is similar to ANH's, I got it from my local pet shop, I don't know what it should be used for but is a perfect broody cage (I know as its seen enough action with my Wyandotte and Silkie )

[The Dogmother]

The size isn't too much of a problem TBH, the main idea is to increase airflow to keep them cool and to get rid of any warm, comfy nesting places.

[quickcluck]

Well we've just covered her up for the night in her own outside room, she was still moaning, so better luck tomorrow!

 

At least she didn't spit her sweetcorn at me earlier!

 

Soooooooo how do you know when they are done and can be let free?

[ClaireG]

If you let her out and she heads straight for the nestbox, you know she needs longer. It's trial and error really, but 72 hrs usually works.

[The Dogmother]

I usually do 3 days 24/7, that usually nips it in the bud but if they are still broody, then I give them a couple of days and do it again. That rarely happens though.

[quickcluck]

OK I'll let her out tuesday morning

[chick wiggle]

Aww, it does feel really harsh doesnt it. but, Im going to be in the same boat as my frizzle has decided to go broody. Its gonna be an absolute killer leaving her in there so i know how you feel, downright evil if its anything like me. We will have to be strong together

Its for their own good right? YES!

[quickcluck]

I know............. but even in her large palatial cage she looks like a battery hen!

[chick wiggle]

Aww, I feel more sorry for you than her! Its soooooo hard!