Do I need to confine my hen to encourage her to go broody?

[MareeZoCool]

My hen is an 8 month old Black Australorp, she has been raised to free-range most hours every day. She has suddenly refused to allow the roo to mount her. I have stopped gathering her eggs, leaving 2 in her nest. She wanders the yard until dusk, when she hurries back to the nest. The temps here have risen to hi 70's - low 80's. Will her eggs be viable after the day of neglect? Should I confine her inside the copp in hopes she'll set on those eggs?

 

[The Chicken People]

From what I have heard you cant make them go broody...they do it on their own...please someone correct me if I am wrong!

 

[shelleyb1969]

Confining her will only stress her out and delay her "broodiness" even longer. Be patient

...the urge to be a mother will happen, but only when SHE'S ready.

 

[Southernbelle]

Quote:
You're right. Broodiness is hormonal and nothing you can do will make it happen.

If you lock her in the coop, but let everyone else out, she'll probably spend her day pacing at the door to go out with the rest of the chickens. Is she sleeping on the nest?

 

[MareeZoCool]

Quote:
Thanks! I'm still so new, got so much to learn! Just thought I was doing the wrong thing, letting her roam freely all day in the sun.

 

[underground chickenman]

Australorps will go broody easier than many modern breeds, but even the modern day Australorp has had much of the broodiness bread out. I have had two for more than a year and they have never gone broody, but both of my Buff Rocks have. They are great layers though.

UGCM

 

[3goodeggs]

My two BOs won't snap out of it!

Maybe you can just have a BO around for hatching things.