Trying to make a hen broody after flock deaths?

[sophi3]

Recently had a fox attack that killed 2/3 of our hens - we've had one in years past but it didn't leave any survivors so am unsure how to care for this poor lonely traumatised hen. We do however want to get back to our usual egg rates as soon as is possible without stressing her out, and last time we chucked in new pullets with older hens they got fairly roughed up.
Was thinking of leaving the eggs under this hen that now sleeps in the nesting box instead of roosting on her perch, to encourage her to go broody. No problems with socialising new chickens if they're her own chicks!
- we also just want to have a go at hatching which we've never done before, but this might be a bad opportunity given the circumstances
Does anyone who's had experience with broody hens think this is a good idea? Is there any chance she'd actually go broody or is it unlikely cause of the recent stressful event?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[fluffycrow]

IME chickens change roost sites when experiencing stressful situations, and some just like sleeping in the nest boxes. Your girl is not broody. She might be, if you let her collect her eggs and make a clutch. All this should be done after securing the coop (assuming the attack happened in there). As a final note, any addition to a well-formed flock will lead to the new arrivals getting roughed up a bit. What breed is your girl?

 

[rosemarythyme]

You cannot make them go broody, you can try to encourage it, but it's all about hormones. Has she ever been broody before? What's your location/climate - if you're heading into a cold winter, it'll be a little harder to raise chicks than in warmer climates.

 

[sophi3]

IME chickens change roost sites when experiencing g stressful situations, and some just like sleeping in the nest boxes. Your girl is not broody. She might be, if you let her collect her eggs and make a clutch. All this should be done after securing the coop (assuming the attack happened in there). As a final note, any addition to a well-formed flock will lead to the new arrivals getting roughed up a bit. What breed is your girl?

She's a plymouth rock & has been sleeping indoors while we fix up the coop. Will probably need more alterations after the possibility we get chicks.

 

[rosemarythyme]

She's a plymouth rock & has been sleeping indoors while we fix up the coop. Will probably need more alterations after the possibility we get chicks.

Make alterations ahead of time. If you are able to go ahead with your plan, making changes during brooding could disturb her and cause her to abandon the clutch.

Best to be prepared under any circumstance to incubate and brood the chicks yourself in case she rejects them.

 

[fluffycrow]

Make alterations ahead of time. If you are able to go ahead with your plan, making changes during brooding could disturb her and cause her to abandon the clutch.

Best to be prepared under any circumstance to incubate and brood the chicks yourself in case she rejects them.

Ditto. Broodies, but chickens really, need a stable environment. Fix everything there is to fix now, as not to stress her out when she's in the coop

 

[sophi3]

You cannot make them go broody, you can try to encourage it, but it's all about hormones. Has she ever been broody before? What's your location/climate - if you're heading into a cold winter, it'll be a little harder to raise chicks than in warmer climates.

in aus - currently spring and about to head into summer haha

 

[rosemarythyme]

in aus - currently spring and about to head into summer haha

Gotcha. Majority of the forum is northern hemisphere so a different situation for sure!

 

[aart]

Was 1 of the 2 chickens now gone a male?
If not, can you get fertile eggs from someone else?
Tho 'making' a hen go broody is not likely to succeed, get out the incubator.

in aus

Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!