can you make a hen broody?

[flip9109]

If I got fertile eggs could i get a hen to go broody to sit on them? example if i leave a hand full of unfertile eggs in a nest would one of my girls get broody and could i then switch the eggs?

 

[Marlinchaser]

No its a hormonal thing, they should want to go broodie sometime soon, but you cant count on that. I already had 4 go that must have thought the warm weather ment it was time to go so they did one in January and one in Feb.

The harder question is can you break one once she has gone broodie??

EDITED TO ADD: yes if one does go broodie you can switch for fertile eggs, or switch to the ones you want under her

 

[lurky]

I have 4 silkie hens and if i leave eggs in there, they will hatch them. I think sitting on eggs is more important to them than food is