Advice? How to Keep a Hen Broody

[Athenaeum]

Okay, so, hi. While I wait to get rid of my MiL's aggressive rooster, Roo, which should be happening tomorrow (he's going to be someone else's problem), I'm kinda taking advantage of him still mating my ladies; he makes pretty babies, even if they don't always have "enough brain cells" for their common sense to function. See exhibit A, Latias the One Legged Hen, also known as "She Who Wanted Inside So Bad, She Gave Herself Frostbite And Lost Her Toes On One Foot And Her Whole Lower Leg."

Which, speaking of that lovely lady, brings me to the thing I want to ask about. Latias is showing signs of being broody, claiming eggs when I offered them to her and then burying them for the time being. She currently has six chicken eggs from the others... and a turkey egg.

Her role in the flock is likely going to be "mama," honestly? And yes, I know, I'm likely anthropomorphizing her a bit. But still.

How do I keep her broody? Or get her to settle down on her eggs since she hates the nesting box I gave her?

The plan the whole time was to "give" her babies, partially because we had plans to add onto the flock anyways and partially because my hope is that they'll see her as part of their flock.

Which! She actually was loose in the coop when some of the other ladies came in and no one attacked her! Progress!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You can't make a hen go broody, or stay broody. It's all hormonal, and can be based on sunlight, and condition of the bird, as well as breeding. Many have had the desire to go broody bred out of them. Many hens will leisurely sit on eggs, and claim them while they are laying. A true broody will sit tight and not budge. She will also sit on nothing or everything. Most will only set in a spot they choose.

Another thing to consider is not all broody hens make great mothers. Some will actually attack and kill chicks as they hatch, so you always need a backup plan at hatch time.

Not sure if your hen is actually broody by your description. When she is you will know it.

 

[Athenaeum]

You can't make a hen go broody, or stay broody. It's all hormonal, and can be based on sunlight, and condition of the bird, as well as breeding. Many have had the desire to go broody bred out of them. Many hens will leisurely sit on eggs, and claim them while they are laying. A true broody will sit tight and not budge. She will also sit on nothing or everything. Most will only set in a spot they choose.

Another thing to consider is not all broody hens make great mothers. Some will actually attack and kill chicks as they hatch, so you always need a backup plan at hatch time.

Not sure if your hen is actually broody by your description. When she is you will know it.

Fair. I'm honestly just hoping for a broody girl and that she might be a good mother? If it doesn't go well, the back up plan for hatching, at least, is incubating in the house and doing what we did for the others— raising them ourselves until we're able to slowly introduce them to the flock. Which, in the end, would be the same result if Latias wasn't a good mother, either.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi, I just want to point out that genetics breed true. So you're breeding out of an agressive rooster and, er, a stupid hen. Are you SURE you want to hatch these eggs?

 

[Mrs. K]

If your hen is severely crippled, which from your description sound like it, it will be another hardship on her to brood chicks. Or to protect chicks when they hatch.

Where is she in the pecking order, does she feed herself, does she roost? Unless she is much more mobile than I think, I don't think I would let her brood chicks.

But as I never can resist a broody hen, if she is, and you do give her eggs - don't give her too many, 2-3.

Mrs K