Broody hen

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I break mine by hauling them off and dumping them somewhere so that they have to walk back. I try to do this whenever I'm around the coop. It takes a while, but it is a way of getting them more familiar with being handled. Mine become very docile when I do this (after they've pecked me for disturbing them).

 

[centrarchid]

How far do you take them? Is drop point within area they normally free-range? Timing of this effort?

 

[azygous]

I break mine by hauling them off and dumping them somewhere so that they have to walk back. I try to do this whenever I'm around the coop. It takes a while, but it is a way of getting them more familiar with being handled. Mine become very docile when I do this (after they've pecked me for disturbing them).

How often do you need to repeat this exercise or does it work in a single dump?

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

How often do you need to repeat this exercise or does it work in a single dump?

I wish a single dump. Oh no. Last one took a couple of weeks, probably. I don't care. It's funny to see them get all huffy.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

How far do you take them? Is drop point within area they normally free-range? Timing of this effort?

I try to take them several hundred feet to give them a nice long walk back. Farther if there are other hens around. Yes, only where they free range. I usually haul them up to the house and give them a treat. Timing? Just whenever I'm down by the coop and remember.

 

[azygous]

So much for that "quicker/better approach". May as well use the broody cage and get it over with in three days.

And you don't have to do all that walking and dumping.

Unless it's exercise you're after.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

So much for that "quicker/better approach". May as well use the broody cage and get it over with in three days.

And you don't have to do all that walking and dumping.

Unless it's exercise you're after.

I don't go out of my way. I do a lot of walking regardless - big place.

 

[azygous]

The point I'm making is that your method is of dubious value as a broody breaker. After two weeks or more of "dumping", your broody's hormones have just about run their course anyway.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

The point I'm making is that your method is of dubious value as a broody breaker. After two weeks or more of "dumping", your broody's hormones have just about run their course anyway.

That's what my solution revolves around - hormone depletion. Dumping keeps them active. Better than sitting in the nest all the time.

 

[centrarchid]

I am not going to knock the approach yet. A little tweaking such as doing it immediately after dark and keeping hen in pen at dump site till morning might be strong enough to make break like a predator attacking nest in the dark.