[chooka]

I have 7 ladies who live in Cluckingham Palace, no rooster, all good layers.  Three of them are rescue chooks - Plymouth Rocks - who take it in turns to go broody.  I have tried everything I can to dissuade them from this activity - put them in the isolation cage for 48 hours, blocked the nests (doesn't do a lot for those conscientious ones who want to get in and lay their eggs), I am prepared to do anything which does not involve cruelty.  One person suggested I grab the broody by the legs and swing her around my head but that idea holds no attraction for me, and I can't see why it would stop her being broody.
If anyone has some good suggestions, I would be very grateful

[New shoot]

One person suggested I grab the broody by the legs and swing her around my head but that idea holds no attraction for me, and I can't see why it would stop her being broody.

It wouldn't and would be extremely cruel.  I hope whoever told you that doesn't keep poultry. 

Isolation cages need to be mesh based and stood on bricks to stop the hen just sitting down in them, but they do work.  I would stick to that and blocking the nest boxes.

[chooka]

Thanks, my isolation cage is an old dog kennel, and even without nesting material she sits down in it.  I shall review the isolation facilities and look for something different.

[New shoot]

Mine is a puppy cage, which is all mesh.  It has a plastic tray floor, but that is removable.  The air circulating under them is important for switching off the hormones that trigger nesting behaviour.

You need to provide additional shelter from the weather with a mesh cage, but they do work.  I put mine inside the roofed run during the day, with shade cover, then into a shed at night 

[chooka]

Thanks new shoot - that is extremely helpful.  I didn't know the bit about needing the air underneath to switch off the hormones.  I have just the thing (an old supermarket trolley which has been repurposed) which I can adapt to suit this purpose.  Very grateful to you both for your speedy response and helpful clues.