Can you induce broodiness?

[Lisa Harmon]

here was the link I read, sorry to have posted without it http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/nov95/broodiness1195.htm?pf=1

 

[donrae]

I just read that prolactin is the hormone responsible for broodiness in turkeys. I wonder if there is a way to increase or inject prolactin in a chicken hen we want to brood?

No offense, but the reason I have the hens I have is so they don't get messed with in the way you're describing. I don't see the point in getting a bird that's been selectively bred for hundreds of generations to not be broody, then injecting her with the very hormones that have been bred out of her. If you want a broody bird, get a broody breed. Lots of breeds that haven't had the broodiness bred out of them. Sorry, I just see this as a slippery slope--next they'd have something to inject a bird after she's done brooding to kick start production again back to an egg a day right away.