any suggestions on how to make a hen go broody

[waw]

i have some 5 11 month old Orpington that started laying in may they lay every day 2 5 year old rhode island red that still lays 1 5 year olwhite rock lays very little maybe 3 times a week 2 5 year old austrolops 1 lays somtimes but very rarely the other has layed maybe 1 any suggestions on how to encourage broodyness

or should i just wait til next spring

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You can't make them go broody. It's a hormonal change.

Sometimes having a clutch of eggs will prompt it.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Sometimes buying an incubator seems to work, but just showing them photos of incubators is a waste of time. And showing pictures of roast chicken just seems to get them hungry.

I pretty much agree with ChickenCanoe.

 

[poseygrace]

Like the previous poster, the only thing I've noticed that may help is a clutch of eggs. You could use plastic or porcelain ones, then replace them with real ones if/when one goes broody. Good luck!

 

[waw]

thanks

 

[Pele]

I agree, get a bunch of pingpong or golf-balls, and put about 12 to 15 down where they normally lay. This can trigger broodiness, but if they're not inclined to do it, there's no forcing.

 

[bluefeather2697]

im not an expert. but i think u can't do that.

 

[willowbranchfarm]

This is funny cause lots of people on BYC are saying help my hen went broody and here you want her to go broody.

Good luck.

 

[bluefeather2697]

Quote:
haha.

 

[Kadjain]

Get a broody breed like a Gamefowl or Silky.
I don't know if it was the best idea but I put my Thai hen in a large dog crate with food and water and a clutch of 10 eggs. Waited a few days till it looked like she was sitting heavy on them and put the crate back in the coop with the door open so she could get some excersize when she wanted. She hatched them out and is still raising them.
My Silky cross is brooding a clutch of 13 eggs. I found her under a small hen house about a week ago with them. Sneaky little girl. I just got her a few months ago and knew she was going to be my brooder.