Encouraging to Brood

[LilJoe]

Are there other ways to encourage a hen to go broody besides using fake eggs in a nest?

 

[Amer]

Not as far as I am concerned? I will be watching this. Have you hatched by broody. We have had three successful unaided broodies hatch eggs.

 

[LilJoe]

Not as far as I am concerned? I will be watching this. Have you hatched by broody. We have had three successful unaided broodies hatch eggs.

Yes, I have had three out of three successful broody hatches as well.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

None of my hens who has gone broody had fake eggs cause I don't have fake eggs. My bantams go broody when they get a clutch of eggs gathered up. Last year a rooster got a hen to go broody. I have one hen who waits until her back is so bald from the rooster to go broody. I guess it's different with different hens.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

There is no way to make a hen sit including plying her with counterfeit eggs. Sitting behavior is a hormonal response triggered by the laying of eggs.

 

[kesrchicky16]

Are there other ways to encourage a hen to go broody besides using fake eggs in a nest?

Fake eggs are only to test broody and discourage egg eating. IMO

There is no way to make a hen sit including plying her with counterfeit eggs. Sitting behavior is a hormonal response triggered by the laying of eggs.

Agreed. Some hens are broody-er then others. My sweet Hester has eggs, chicks, "your big enough go bug someone else", 1 week break, "#%$÷×<& My eggs you theaving %#=%"*&;"

 

[LilJoe]

There is no way to make a hen sit including plying her with counterfeit eggs. Sitting behavior is a hormonal response triggered by the laying of eggs.

I realize It is hormonal and you can't force them, but is there a way to ed courage them.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I realize It is hormonal and you can't force them, but is there a way to ed courage them.

As far as I'm concerned there ARE a couple things you can do to encourage broodiness.

Adequate nutrition, safe shelter (not too much kid or predator commotion), and plenty of space. Beyond that, yep it's hormonal. My girls will sit on NO eggs. They don't HAVE to collect a clutch. But for some a clutch will trigger the instinct... if they already have it.

IMHO nutrition is the reason WHY I have so many broody's mid winter. Back in nature they only hatch chicks when food supply is readily available. It's available every day here... and NOT diminished by low nutrient "treats".

 

[BantyChooks]

As far as I'm concerned there ARE a couple things you can do to encourage broodiness.

Adequate nutrition, safe shelter (not too much kid or predator commotion), and plenty of space. Beyond that, yep it's hormonal. My girls will sit on NO eggs. They don't HAVE to collect a clutch. But for some a clutch will trigger the instinct... if they already have it.

IMHO nutrition is the reason WHY I have so many broody's mid winter. Back in nature they only hatch chicks when food supply is readily available. It's available every day here... and NOT diminished by low nutrient "treats".

I agree with this.

Fake eggs or eggs left in a nest do help with getting the hen to go broody where you want them to.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Oh, one more thing... keeping internal and external parasites under control.

And of course broody known breeds are helpful. But ANY can go broody and see it often!

ETA: Gotta add... love the Jesus pic in your avatar.

Merry CHRISTmas!!