forcing a hen to go broody?

[daddy_roo]

I was given almost 50 eggs to go with the 13 I already had for hatching. I filled my incubator up with 42 total eggs and have 14 left. Would it be possible to put them in a nest box and almost force a hen to go brood? Or will this cause other problems? I live in Western KY, have Black Sex Link hens that average about 3-4 years in age.

 

[mstricer]

You can't force them, they need to be broodie already. Can stack a few?

 

[CCourson05]

You can't force a hen to go broody. She has to do it herself... Otherwise she will quit, sure as the world.

You could try putting the eggs in the nesting box with fresh hair and everything... It MIGHT seem pleasing to a hen. But no one can tell...

 

[daddy_roo]

What do you mean by stack a dew?

 

[daddy_roo]

are the odds better than 50/50 one of my hens will set on them? or is it really impossible to tell?

 

[mstricer]

By putting them in your incubator on top of one another, I know some have done this on here, I haven't, mainly because I use a turner and second because anything over 12 is more then I can handle.

 

[CCourson05]

What is the temperature where you live, right now? My silkies just hatched a few... The temps are high 70s...

 

[daddy_roo]

I have an automatic turner. so is that still an option? i dont think it is.

 

[daddy_roo]

it is currently 74 deg outside under partly cloudy skys. Highs have been reaching 75-80 of a day and dipping to maybe mid 50's at night.

 

[CCourson05]

That night temperature is pushing it for too cold for a hen to go broody... Some will though, but it is far less likely...

ETA: You could still stack, but you would have to turn the eggs 2-3 times daily that are on top...