Broody hen what to do

[magichen]

So i was trying to encorage our light sussex hen to go broody so i put 5 golfballs under her......... 2 days later and shes sitting on them but i want to switch the golfbAlls with eggs but i dontt know how or when so wats the best way to do it and when

 

[Megan Amber]

Golf Balls, tricking unsuspecting chickens all over the world! If you're worried about upsetting her then I would switch them at night when she is sleeping. Just to be on the safe side you could switch them and just leave one or two golf balls but I don't think she would mind.

 

[debid]

At night or when she gets up for her food/water/elimination break if you are willing to either hang out watching or toss her off the nest so she'll have her break on your schedule. It's not likely that you'll break her by disrupting her once.

 

[magichen]

dont really no whats happenes i have seen her go in and lay and recently she has started sitting on the eggs for about 30 mins after shes layed it everyday she sits a little longer today it was close to 3 hours and she looked as if she was broody as all her feathers puffed out but after 3 hours she just stood up and walked away any ideas wats happening

 

[Megan Amber]

She is still deciding if she wants to go broody. Keep encouraging her like you are and she probably will commit!

 

[magichen]

hopefully please god

 

[Megan Amber]

I'll keep my fingers crossed, and my toes!

 

[magichen]

thanks megan il let ye all know what happened in a week or so should i leave the golfballs in or should i put in some eggs

 

[debid]

I wouldn't give eggs until she commits to sitting. If she's still laying, she's not broody. I had a young hen last spring spend hours each day arranging all of the eggs into a single nest, decorating her back with nesting material, and she'd sit there and sit there and sit there. Then, she'd hop up and that was it for the day. She never has gone broody.

 

[Megan Amber]

I agree, no eggs until she has committed. The golf balls should do the trick!