Chickabee Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 How big does a broody cage need to be. I don't have one, but think I should. I've got 6 pure breeds, I've never had a problem with the silkies going broody, but the others haven't yet. Think I should be prepared Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 Have you seen Dogmother's blog link about broody cages? That shows a picture of a hen in a broody cage that might help you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 I always wrestle with the idea o a broody cage. With all of the chickens I have and have bred I have never had to resort to using one. I have no problem with people who do I just don't think a cage helps any more than other methods might To answer your question I would use something about 1m x 60cm x 60cm many people use smaller cages though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Choo-chook Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 I use my old dog cage for any broodies, but it's huge as we have retrievers!! If you look at dog cages on amazon you can get a smaller one for around £16 and they have the benefit of being able to slot a branch through the sides to perch on. I have a wire cat carrier I got from a charity shop but I'd feel bad using it cos it is very small and I'd end up feeling too guilty to use it. Forgot to say I take the tray out and turn it over as mine has bigger squares on the bottom, first time I had bess in it I went to take the food in and she was gone!!! Back in the nest box in the eglu..no idea how she does it but she escapes out the top to go to bed with the others. Think I need to get a hen cam to see how she's doing it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 Mine is medium sized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 I've got a wire cat carrier I bought from a well known auction site. It wasn't a lot of money and I've used it loads with the pekins!!!!!!! Twice already this year for Penny Grrrrrrrrr I did joke that I might need more than one and set up broody towers!!! I just set it up in the run : 2 clip on cups for water and pellets, on 2 bricks (so the air can flow around the hen) and after 3 days and nights straight that usually does the trick.....although I let Penny out last time and she went straight up to the nestbox So, back she went for another day It really does work, stops them losing too much condition and gets them back to laying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 I just got a rabbit cage for £10.50, it's quite big. I think I'll probably be able to put a perch in it too. It folds flat, which is a great bonus. My house is full of junk. It will fit nicely in my chicken shed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Airflow is most important; make sure that it has a mesh base, and can be raised off the ground. They need to be kept cool to 'switch off' brooding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted April 26, 2014 Author Share Posted April 26, 2014 It does. It's just like a dog cage. It has a removable plastic bottom. It's for house rabbits I guess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dipsychick Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Choo-chook Two of mine have escaped from the broody cage , last week I went up the garden in the afternoon to check on elsie , to see if she was needing more water or shade and she met me at the top of the steps I sat and videoed her after I returned her to the cage to find out how it was done , it was very funny . not sure if i can put a video on here from my facebook ! anyone else know if you can and how ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted April 27, 2014 Author Share Posted April 27, 2014 Think you can download it to photobucket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dipsychick Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 OK think I have done it , I hope this works ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted April 27, 2014 Author Share Posted April 27, 2014 Naughty hen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Choo-chook Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Ha, I'm going to keep a close eye on my bess the next time she's in. I thought I was going crazy the first time it happened. Thought someone was playing a trick on me lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dipsychick Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 I had to use gaffa tape across the bigger holes on the top of the cage (l turn it upside down) And they have stopped escaping for now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
