How can I help my hens become broody???

[meezermom]

How can I help my hens become broody???

 

[eenie114]

Mine only go broody when I have a rooster around. Also, some breeds don't go broody hardly ever.

 

[gritsar]

There is no proven effective way to make a hen go broody. They either do or they don't.

 

[KellyHM]

If I leave any eggs in the nest for more than 2 days my Silkies ALL want to go broody. With my layers I can leave them in the coop for a week and they still don't go broody. It just depends on the breed and individual chicken.

 

[stuckinthecity]

Put about 10 fake eggs in their favorite nest. works like a charm.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Agreed. I have tried a bunch of real eggs in the nest, a bunch of golf balls in the nest, covered darkened nest, you name it, I've tried it. I haven't had a single broody, but then again I don't have silkies.

 

[Kittymomma]

Like the others have said, they will when and if they want to and not a moment before. However, I noticed in your sig line that you have a bunch of Orpingtons and they are known to be a broody breed in general. I was on here for months whining about how much I wanted a broody--well now I have 5 of them. I think it must be contagious because they all started within a few weeks of each other.

With all the orps you have I wouldn't be at all surprised to see you back on here in a couple of months asking what the best way to break a broody is.

 

[Yogaliciouschick]

I have the opposite problem, all of my chickens want to go broody! My crazy silkie loves sitting on eggs and now I have a frizzle sitting, I am going to candle tonight. Then I catch my other chickens trying to kick them off the nest so they can have a go at it. Happy chickens make happy chicks, not proven but its a theory! Best of luck on getting a broody!