I don't know much about broody hens... help?

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tolipgirl

tolipgirl

Chirping
7 Years
Jun 21, 2012
100
0
71
Reno, NV
I have five hens. An easter egger, two black sex links, and two buff orpingtons. I want to get a few duck eggs and don't want to buy an incubator. I was wondering if I could use one of my hens to hatch the eggs, or if the eggs would be to big for the hens? I was also wondering how you know a hen is broody? Please help.
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Hens can very readily hatch duck eggs. The problem is that you can not make a hen 'go broody'. They will decide to set in their own good time. A broody hen selects a nest site and proceeds to sit there. She may leave once or twice a day to eat and drink, but then she returns to her nest. If you disturb her, she will puff up and make a growling sound. The poop of a broody hen is distinctive - you will understand. I generally figure that once a hen has remained on the nest for two nights it is time to give her some eggs. Hope that some of your hens go broody.
 
Thank you very much. I remember one of my orpingtons has done that before, so next time she does it, I will be sure to give her some eggs.
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You can't make a hen broody but you can encourage her by leaving eggs in a nest. The sight and feel of a large clutch under her will help her instinct kick in to go broody. Be sure to put the eggs where you want her to be broody so you don't have to move her risking ending her broody mood. Good luck.
 
You know a hen is broody when they act like this :D




Well, not all of them do that. Mostly they'll just refuse to get up from a nesting site. They'll sit all fluffed up and usually balk if disturbed. They'll sit on anything, fake eggs or real ones. Sometimes you have to MAKE them get up to go get food and water. I know I toss my broodies out of the coop at least once a day. After they grab a quick drink and bite of food, they are right back on their nest.
 

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