Broody or Not Broody

[Linnren]

I have a couple hens that have had a strong inclination to be broody in the past, so we made a special broody house for them, a rooster and a few of their pals. The eggs are, or should be all fertilized, but neither hen shows any inclination to sit on them. I have about a dozen eggs waiting for a 'mama' now. What should I do? This is picture is for illustrative purposes only. I don't have photos or our "little mamas'.

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

Since you can not force a hen to go broody, the only way to hatch your eggs is in an incubator.

 

[redsoxs]

Howdy from Kansas, Linnren, and

! Great to have you with us! Sorry your birds aren't cooperating. best wishes to you!

 

[Linnren]

Thank you. I'm still waiting...and hoping! Maybe if it was more of their own eggs it would have rang a bell with them quicker??

 

[drumstick diva]

are you trying to set cold eggs under her? Someone just did that and her broody hen took off for the woods. If so many if you warm them in towel or something, she might be interested.

 

[Linnren]

Oh, thanks for the suggestion. Would it work if I did it just after dark, then gently set her on them? Would it help to tack up a little curtain then, to, to make it a little more sheltered for her?

 

[Linnren]

I guess I am really rather persistent, but I really do want to see a mama hen with little chicks following after her! Last night after dark I had put a hen with brooding tendencies on to the eggs after curtaining off the little nest. This morning a different chicken was doing her little part in that nest and the would/should be mother was off doing her own thing somewhere else. So I let them go for the day then retaped the curtain over the arched doorway to the nest that for some odd reason the hens didn't care to use. I warmed the (icy cold) eggs in a pail of warm water, which I don't recommend,and gently laid them into the nest. I collected a different bird, who had coming strolling out from who knows where with two chicks late last summer!! and introduced her to the nest, AFTER putting the light off. While I waited she was making soft little clucking noises and appeared to be moving the eggs around with her feet. I won't stay awake all night, though, wondering if her brooding urge will kick in once again or not, but I sure hope so! Oh, by the way I brought a couple eggs in from the house to replenish the favorite nest, so the others will still know its o.k. to use it and not think they have to bother "Mama" if she is still trying!.

 

[Linnren]

I have pretty much given up on them You can lead a hen to eggs but can't make her sit. Just wish I would have gotten a batch of true broody hens in the first place!

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Hello, and welcome to BYC!!

Glad to have you aboard!!

 

[Linnren]

Hey do we get to hear anything about your homeschooling projects? Sometimes I think homeschooled children have the most--creative!- educations!