Can you make a hen broody?

[MaggieH031]

So I have 4 hens currently. I was planning on getting fertilized eggs from a friend of mine and having my own hens raise them. Problem is my hens could care less. Not a single one of them will sit on eggs. Is there any way to induce broodiness? Or are my hens just really not interested in being moms?

 

[Kessel23]

No, you can not make them go broody.

 

[MaggieH031]

No, you can not make them go broody.

Unfortunately, that's what I figured. Man, they dont make things easy on me.

 

[coach723]

There really is no way to induce broodiness. Their bodies tell them when/if it's time. Some breeds are more prone to broodiness than others, but no guarantees. Any hen CAN go broody, but many never will. Much natural broodiness has been bred out to increase egg production (broodies don't lay while broody). I have 25 hens, one goes broody every summer several times. I have a couple that flirt with it but never commit. I have a 5 year old EE that has gone broody this week, first time ever for her (it's too hot and i'm not letting her sit). If you really want a broody then I'd suggest getting hens from a breed that commonly go broody, and then cross your fingers. And first time broodies may not commit, and may leave the nest and eggs to die. I always give them some golf balls or false eggs for a few days to make sure they look like they are really going to sit, before I give them real eggs, unless it's my proven girl who sits like glue.

 

[MaggieH031]

There really is no way to induce broodiness. Their bodies tell them when/if it's time. Some breeds are more prone to broodiness than others, but no guarantees. Any hen CAN go broody, but many never will. Much natural broodiness has been bred out to increase egg production (broodies don't lay while broody). I have 25 hens, one goes broody every summer several times. I have a couple that flirt with it but never commit. I have a 5 year old EE that has gone broody this week, first time ever for her (it's too hot and i'm not letting her sit). If you really want a broody then I'd suggest getting hens from a breed that commonly go broody, and then cross your fingers. And first time broodies may not commit, and may leave the nest and eggs to die. I always give them some golf balls or false eggs for a few days to make sure they look like they are really going to sit, before I give them real eggs, unless it's my proven girl who sits like glue.

That's a good idea. I had one of my girls her name is Pepper, shes an australorp, she sat for a day and then went about life like nothing.

 

[chickens really]

What breeds are you raising?

 

[MaggieH031]

Australorp and Rhode Island Red

 

[chickens really]

Australorp and Rhode Island Red

Depends if the line they are from become Broody.

 

[anniep]

Silkies and Seramas seem to like to go broody. If I leave multiple eggs in the nest, they take that as a clue to set. I'm sure there are other breeds that tend to go broody as well.

 

[MaggieH031]

They are completely disinterested. Except for that one day when my one seemed like she might. I just think its interesting because I have a friend that went with me and also bought a dozen of the same chicks and she has 2 broody hens.