Broody Hen

[chickendude1]

I have one buff orpington hen that hatched 4 out of 5 eggs last time, but she hasnt went broody since last year. Would be ok to hatch chicks this time of year if so , How can i like try to make her broody or is this impossible ???

 

[HEChicken]

I don't think you can "make" them go broody - you just have to wait until they're ready. At least you know yours broods - I have two BO's which I got because of their reputation for broodiness. Both are now a year and a half old and have never shown the slightest interest, and given their age, I think the chances are lower than ever now that they ever will

 

[chickendude1]

I hope she will brood again, but she only did it once

but will the chicks get to cold or not ??? I live like in the foothills in North Carolina ???

 

[pkw]

Of all the years I have had chickens, I have never had a hen go broody (even with know breeds that are supposedly broody breeds). Well Friday I discovered one of my white orpington hens was sitting on a nest. I kept checking on her to see if she was off the nest so I could collect the eggs and every time she was still there. Saturday she was still there and I also found one of my partridge rock hens was sitting on a nest of eggs. So I am so happy to finally have hens to sit on eggs. I once had a female duck sit on a nest of duck eggs.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Mama will take care of them. My one week olds were running around in below freezing weather for long periods. Mama would squat to let them get under her to get warm, and call them, and they would ignore her, or run under her then back out right away. Since 1 week of age I have only seen them under her at night, and we've had days in the teens during that time.

A great article about broodies: http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

 

[coltssuperbowl83]

I don't think you can make a hen go broody. If so i've never heard how. good luck.

 

[chickendude1]

Thanks for the help mabye ill just leave some eggs in the nest box for awhile and see if she starts sitting !!