Broody chicken

[Star and eclipsa]

Ok, so that title may have been a little misleading. I actually want to know if there is a way to make a hen go broody, or does it have to happen on it's own?

 

[sourland]

Basically you have to have a hen from a breed that commonly goes broody (exceptions occur) and then it happens on it's own. Allowing a hen to 'build a clutch' may be helpful in inducing broodiness, but I have my doubts about that.

 

[Star and eclipsa]

Basically you have to have a hen from a breed that commonly goes broody (exceptions occur) and then it happens on it's own. Allowing a hen to 'build a clutch' may be helpful in inducing broodiness, but I have my doubts about that.

My pullet isnt a breed that normally goes broody. Maybe ill be able to find someone who is giving away an incubator or selling one for cheap.

 

[theoldchick]

Here's something to read:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...oody.html&usg=AOvVaw27Q-Flj2Ky7NnAYKzOy32ne's

You can't make them go broody but you can encourage them.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

As far as I'm concerned it's completely hormonal but there are a couple of VERY basic things you can do..

Secure housing, yard, and nesting boxes that feel very safe but with plenty of room. And adequate nutrition... which IMO is 18-20% protein, depending on your breeds... and NOT diminished by low nutrient "treats".

An incubator will still have you raising the chicks if you don't get a broody, but also dealing with cockerels.. Make sure you have a solid plan B before you start hatching. Otherwise, I suggest even for broody's that you can adopt feed store chicks (up to 6 days old) and not have to deal with other factors. Which also gives an opportunity to try other breeds.

You only mention 1 pullet. Do you have other ladies and a gentleman? What breed are you talking about?

I have had some ladies that didn't go broody until their second year. Who would've thunk it.

Building a clutch MAY help. One thing I can say is collecting every day does NOT stop the determined girls.

Also, if you do get a broody... know that you won't get any eggs from her for 8-16 weeks in my experience.

Good luck!

 

[Star and eclipsa]

As far as I'm concerned it's completely hormonal but there are a couple of VERY basic things you can do..

Secure housing, yard, and nesting boxes that feel very safe but with plenty of room. And adequate nutrition... which IMO is 18-20% protein, depending on your breeds... and NOT diminished by low nutrient "treats".

An incubator will still have you raising the chicks if you don't get a broody, but also dealing with cockerels.. Make sure you have a solid plan B before you start hatching. Otherwise, I suggest even for broody's that you can adopt feed store chicks (up to 6 days old) and not have to deal with other factors. Which also gives an opportunity to try other breeds.

You only mention 1 pullet. Do you have other ladies and a gentleman? What breed are you talking about?

I have had some ladies that didn't go broody until their second year. Who would've thunk it.

Building a clutch MAY help. One thing I can say is collecting every day does NOT stop the determined girls.

Also, if you do get a broody... know that you won't get any eggs from her for 8-16 weeks in my experience.

Good luck!

I have one pullet and one cockerel. I originally thought that they were both females when i got them, but that turned out to be false. My cockerel is a white polish and someone said that my pullet looks like a production red, and someone also told me that those dont go broody often. Also, 8m not raising my chickens for eggs. My agriculture teacher gives out twenty five chicks each semester (after the unit on chicks) and i started researching them and i decided to get them as pets.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have one pullet and one cockerel. I originally thought that they were both females when i got them, but that turned out to be false. My cockerel is a white polish and someone said that my pullet looks like a production red, and someone also told me that those dont go broody often. Also, 8m not raising my chickens for eggs. My agriculture teacher gives out twenty five chicks each semester (after the unit on chicks) and i started researching them and i decided to get them as pets.

Well, chickens are fun pets!

But eggs are a huge bonus that actually makes it more fun when you collect them and such.

Once your boy starts mating, you may need to provide your gal some respite. Even though he won't be competing with another boy, he may still have too much affection for one girl. Slightly larger flocks are better to me because if something happens to one then the other isn't left alone. You might consider adding a couple chicks in Feb (when feed store get chicks) and go with buff orpington or some other breed of interest that might be be broody for you.

 

[Star and eclipsa]

Well, chickens are fun pets!

But eggs are a huge bonus that actually makes it more fun when you collect them and such.

Once your boy starts mating, you may need to provide your gal some respite. Even though he won't be competing with another boy, he may still have too much affection for one girl. Slightly larger flocks are better to me because if something happens to one then the other isn't left alone. You might consider adding a couple chicks in Feb (when feed store get chicks) and go with buff orpington or some other breed of interest that might be be broody for you.

Ok ill try to save up my money until then!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Ok ill try to save up my money until then!

If you get chicks, they are usually under $4 each.

And as Feb get's closer, most stores will already have their orders in and be able to tell what breeds they are getting on which date (usually every two weeks). So you can research them, plan ahead... and get what you want. I have 2 feed stores and they don't usually have the same breeds.

 

[Wendy Chartier]

I apologize for hopping on here but can’t seem to start my own thread. My Buff Orpington went broody two weeks ago and has been sitting. Suddenly yesterday she is off and back with the flock. I take it she’s done? What to do with the eggs now?