anoushka3005 Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Hiya, I've got three hens, and two of them have gone broody. I've spent a couple of days booting them out of the nest box but to no avail so thought I'd create a broody coop out of chicken wire and raise on some bricks. My question is are the broody hens ok to be out in the broody cage overnight? I'll give them a rain cover but I don't have a walk in run so they would be next to the Eglu run. Thanks! Anoushka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figarogir1 Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Do you have any foxes around? I usually lift my broody cage into the shed at night because I feel that my girls are safer from preditors in there. They have to be in their over night for it to work properly. It is a bit of a nightmare lifting the whole lot into the shed but at least I get to sleep at night and not lay worrying about what the fox is doing Good Luck with it, hopefully they will snap out of it after a few days in the cage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anoushka3005 Posted August 10, 2010 Author Share Posted August 10, 2010 Thanks, we seem fox free, but I'll see if I can make room in the shed anyway. I've put them in and they seem pretty hacked off about it! Stamping feet, sqwarking etc - is it just because the mesh underfoot is uncomfortable and they want to nest? I feel so mean! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figarogir1 Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 I always feel really guilty but it does work, I hate to see my girl in there on her own and she sulks for the first few hours. She eventually gets used to it and it is for their own good in the end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Hi anoushka305 Our chicken Roxy was most unhappy at first about being in the broody cage. I found that she seemed to panic at bedtime as she wanted to get out of the cage and into the cube as usual. However I put a couple of dark blankets over the broody cage when the others went up to the cube which not only distracted her from what they were doing but also provided the necessary level of darkness to maker her calm and just roost for the night. If your shed has windows then maybe adding a blanket or two over the broody cages just before bedtime might calm them. After it gets completely dark I usually remove the blankets to allow good air circulation and so that they will wake up naturally in the morning. As long as they've got a good supply of food and water they should be fine, and much safer than being out in the garden with the potential of a fox attack. This is the second time Roxy has been broody this year and she was SO MUCH calmer about being in the cage this time. She recognised it and seemed to feel very relaxed in there. Good luck with your girls! I'm sure their broodiness will be over in no time. skye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 PS I also put some spare roosting bars in the bottom of the broody cage so there is something for my girl to roost on, but that's probably just me spoiling her! skye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anoushka3005 Posted August 10, 2010 Author Share Posted August 10, 2010 Hiya, the broodies have calmed down but are now sitting on the mesh - I thought it was meant to be uncomfortable but they are looking quite content! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 They'll be fine with all their food and water, just leave them in the broody cage for 3 days, 24/7 and they ought to snap out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
