Can a pullet go broody / how to encourage broodiness

[Beka123]

I have some silkies but they're only about 4-5 mos. (or so) old right now. I picked them up as pullets and the lady said that they were around 4 mos, I've had them for right at a month now. Anyways, can I train them to go broody before they have even begun to lay? And is there anything to do besides place fake eggs in the nest? I would like to get some hatching eggs but I think a real chicken mommy would be better than my inexperience with an incubator...

 

[marlene]

I have read that chickens going broody is caused by hormones and there is nothing you can do to make them broody.
In my experience a chicken will brood and sit on a nest when she is ready to whether there is eggs in it or not.