Broody pen ideas? (containers or places to keep a broody hen)

[XilverAngel]

I have a broody hen and I don't feel safe leaving her in the coop nest with the other chickens. Does anyone have any ideas on what i could use to make a pen for her to sit in? Also, how do I make sure she stays in the pen? I have tried using a box and putting her in it, but she immediately forgets the eggs once i move her and she tries frantically to get out the box....

 

[mama dixie]

I also have a broody hen and we have had trouble with her eggs disapering, no joke disapering, I think it is a mouse or rat. I put her in a large dog crate and coverd most of it with an old matress pad so she has privacy. she is still a bit ill at ease but setteling in. I let her out and she goes back in as soon as she goes poo and such. she is such a good girl I just cringe at the thought of her fighting off a rat...I so hate rats and mice and such. good luck let me know if you get any other ideas. I may have to move her becuse she seems ill at ease about being in the new spot.

 

[XilverAngel]

Quote:
ah, well i hope your hen copes with her situation! I have heard a lot of people talking about using dog crates, but I don't have one and I don't think i can get one without buying it

so I'm trying to think of some other ways to make a suitable area for her. I've seen people just use boxes, but she just doesn't seem to like the idea of it! I think I will block off part of the run tomorrow and put her and the box in the cut off area and see how things go.... wish me luck!

 

[appychick]

Many easy ways to isolate a broody hen. Dark quiet place is the best, Move her & her nest in the dark & she won't move off the nest. I have used pet carriers,smaller nest sized cardboard box inside a larger cardboard box so the hen could step out of the nest to eat,drink,& have a bathroom break. Wooden shipping crates,wood pallets made into a small enclosure, Anything that will enclose her safely for the hatch and keep the other birds from adding to her nest.Usually handling the hen in the dark is the best way way to keep her where you want her.

 

[fmizula]

my broody hen is living in an old dog house we found on the side of the road for free. my DH built a latchable door so seh could get in and out if she wanted. there is also a door in the back he built for us to fill water and food and clean. there is also a small chicken wire area arround the chicken door area to keep the babys in and she dosent really fly over it., although she can if she wants. one time the baby got out under a spot in the wire and momma flew right out to save her!! HOWEVER, now momma is all into the one baby that hatched so far and is not sitting on the rest of the eggs and i had to bring them inside to the incubator to finish the job. she is having so much fun with her new baby she forgot about the rest that are still in thier shells!.