Encouraging a hen to brood?

[SMorrison7k]

Hello! I am hoping to gather some advice from those with experience before I set out to try...
I would like to encourage my black Ameraucana to hatch a clutch. (When we bought her, we also bought a chick that she had just hatched so she has proven broody. She was a wicked witch when she was raising that chick! Very mellow since then haha)
Most importantly, I would like to hatch 1) her own eggs
2) be fertilized by 1 specific rooster (I have 3 to my 35 hens)

Obviously I need to separate them together so that he will be the one to fertilize her eggs. I guess I don't know how all of this works since I have never hatched my own clutch. Any advice to encourage her to brood after laying several eggs?
Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Jetblack2004]

I think leaving eggs in the nest box is one of the best ways to encourage a hen to go broody.

I've also heard that leaving herbs (like lavender) in the nest box can help.

Good luck!

 

[bruceha2000]

First, I understand that they can keep sperm internally for 3-4 weeks so she would have to be away from the non chosen roosters for that length of time before she incubates eggs laid after that time.

Second, I don't think you can "force" her to go broody. It is a hormonal thing that will happen when it happens. Some never go broody, some go several times a year (even if there is no rooster. I have 3 girls that go broody even with nothing under them but pine shavings. Unless I have chicks I want them to raise, I put them in the broody buster cage.

I guess the only advice I can give (TOTALLY winging it here) is to start leaving her eggs in her preferred nest after the one month separation and write the date on each one in pencil. If she's not sitting on them, remove any that are > 7 days old (they are still good for eating because they haven't been incubated) and just keep the newest ones in the nest. She may eventually get hormonal and start sitting.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

Hello! Here are some things that have helped me:
1. Make the nesting box dark and cozy. I have “curtains” on the nesting box entrance which make the box nice and dark. Also, add lots of fresh, clean bedding so it is very cozy!
2. Give her eggs to sit on. I always give my soon to be mamas infertile eggs to encourage broodyness.
3. My LAST resort. If I really want a broody mama, I do all the things above, and I lock her in the coop. Make sure that she has food and water! This has worked for me before.
And remember, you CAN NOT force a hen too brood. But, you can ENCOURAGE broodyness!
Good luck!

 

[SMorrison7k]

Thank you! I will definitely try the herbs along with everything else!

I think leaving eggs in the nest box is one of the best ways to encourage a hen to go broody.

I've also heard that leaving herbs (like lavender) in the nest box can help.

Good luck!

 

[SMorrison7k]

Of course I am not looking to force her, just hoping to encourage as she has proven to brood before!
I was under the impression that the sperm lived for 5 - 7 days! That's definitely important to know! I have now looked into it and it looks like fertility tapers off after 4 - 7 days, but can in fact last more like 3.5 weeks so I may wait a week or two and take my chances with it!

First, I understand that they can keep sperm internally for 3-4 weeks so she would have to be away from the non chosen roosters for that length of time before she incubates eggs laid after that time.

Second, I don't think you can "force" her to go broody. It is a hormonal thing that will happen when it happens. Some never go broody, some go several times a year (even if there is no rooster. I have 3 girls that go broody even with nothing under them but pine shavings. Unless I have chicks I want them to raise, I put them in the broody buster cage.

I guess the only advice I can give (TOTALLY winging it here) is to start leaving her eggs in her preferred nest after the one month separation and write the date on each one in pencil. If she's not sitting on them, remove any that are > 7 days old (they are still good for eating because they haven't been incubated) and just keep the newest ones in the nest. She may eventually get hormonal and start sitting.

 

[SMorrison7k]

4 Georgia Hens,
Thanks for the advice!
If I give her some "dummy" / infertile eggs, do I risk her not laying more eggs to sit on? Or will she keep laying for several days?

Hello! Here are some things that have helped me:
1. Make the nesting box dark and cozy. I have “curtains” on the nesting box entrance which make the box nice and dark. Also, add lots of fresh, clean bedding so it is very cozy!
2. Give her eggs to sit on. I always give my soon to be mamas infertile eggs to encourage broodyness.
3. My LAST resort. If I really want a broody mama, I do all the things above, and I lock her in the coop. Make sure that she has food and water! This has worked for me before.
And remember, you CAN NOT force a hen too brood. But, you can ENCOURAGE broodyness!
Good luck!

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

4 Georgia Hens,
Thanks for the advice!
If I give her some "dummy" / infertile eggs, do I risk her not laying more eggs to sit on? Or will she keep laying for several days?

If she is truly broody, she won’t lay. Is that what you were asking?

 

[SMorrison7k]

If she is truly broody, she won’t lay. Is that what you were asking?

Yes, I just don't want her to brood & stop laying eggs before she lays some eggs of her own

 

[bruceha2000]

In a "normal" brood raising cycle a hen will lay eggs for many days then start sitting and lay no more. After she starts sitting she will get off the nest probably once a day to eat, drink, poop until a couple of days before they hatch then she will sit tight. You don't want her going broody on plastic eggs, you want her to go to it naturally with her own fertile eggs.