How can i encourage a hen to become broody?

[slundberg]

I have 6 hens (barred rock, black and yellow sex-link and rhode island red) They are all one year old and excellent layers. They each give me one egg a day. I would like for them to start sitting on these eggs and hatching them on their own since my incubation skills suck! How can i encourage them to get broody. I just got rid of the rooster today but as far as what i have read , they can lay fertile eggs for another several weeks. Please advise. I am also interested in getting into a more social breed of chickens for my kids. Maybe get into 4-H or something. Any suggestion on good breeds.

 

[gritsar]

IMO, it can't be done. I've tricked every trick in the book and been trying for over a year with a supposedly broody breed. They'll go broody when ready and not a milisecond before.
I doubt you'll ever see a broody out of the sex links anyhow. They are bred for production, not broodiness.

 

[incubatingisfun]

yeah you cant make them go broody the only thing you can do is put a bunch of fake eggs in the nest to see if you have a broody

 

[bibliophile birds]

Quote:
my Buff Orps and my gray Silkies are the best with my young cousins. they are inquisitive and friendly- and conveniently fluffy and cuddly! they are both decent laying breeds and Silkies are supposedly little walking incubators (my little girl Gretel is showing ALL the signs of broodiness right now, at just 6 months).

 

[Teresaann24]

You can try leaving eggs in the nest instead of collecting them but like others have said a hen will only go broody when she is ready.

Silkies are the best broodies they go broody alot! They are also very well with kids and are very pretty to look at. They would be a great collection for a 4-h kid.