Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
A broody coop is confined housing without any nesting space, usually a wire cage raised
of the floor. You can break most hard cases in one to three days, though it may take her
a week or longer to begin laying again.
It may seem extreme, but a hen that isn't laying isn't earning her keep for most backyard
farmers, so the broody coop could be the remedy. The small-flock raiser would do well
to have just such a cage anyway in case a bird is injured or needs to be separated, since
a broody coop could also double as a hospital unit or therapy center.
A broody hen will bristle her feathers when you disturb her on the nest, make threaten-
ing noises, and peck your hand if you get close
.
Chick Diary
Honey got broody at the end of winter. As a last resort, we got a dog crate to make
a broody coop. We raised it off the floor on two-by-fours so she couldn't hunker
down to nest. We made a roost out of another two-by-four, with the corners cut at
anangleandthensandedsoshe'dbecomfortable.Weputscrewsinattheboard's
ends so it could hook onto the sides of the crate.
After two days, we put her back home. She didn't run straight for the nest, so
we were encouraged, but she was broody again by nightfall. She went back in the
broody coop for another two days, which broke the spell. It took her about a week
to lay again.
