broody hens

[simeys chooks]

hi all im new to this. i have had chickens for 2 years now about 15 isa browns and im just wondering if there is anyway to get my hens broody cos they have never gone in the 2 years ive had them.they are 3 years old now. can any one please help ???

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

I don't know about the isa browns as far as if they tend to be broody or not. I do know that all hens will go broody when they want to & not when you want them to.

Since you have had these for that amount of time & they haven't gone broody, they may not be the motherly type.
Maybe you could put some of your isa brown eggs under a different breed of hen that like to brood chicks.

Silkies & Cochins make great mothers, & go broody often.


Jean

 

[simeys chooks]

ok thanks jean

 

[bassfishrman]

I have some bantam hens and if I leave 2 or 3 eggs in a nest for more than a day, one of them will surely begin to sit on them.

When they do this, I usually exchange the eggs for about 5 golf balls and watch them for a few days. If them continue to set on the golf balls, I will put some fertile eggs I have collected over a couple of days and let them go at it.

I have found out through experience that the breeds have much to do with broodiness. Most bantams I have had are broody ALOT. Of course, you probably already know, but certain breeds such as Rhode Island Reds never go broody.