How can I make my chickens broody?

[chickenboy2001]

As hatching time comes around, I have no broody hens. Is there a way I can make my hens broody?

Thanks,
Chickenboy

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Nope. There's not really anything you can do.

You can TRY putting some wooden eggs into the nest box, so there's always something to sit on. I've heard that can help. But that's certainly not going to cause a hen to go broody. Instead, it's more a support of a hen that already has broody tendencies.

What breeds of birds do you have? Some varieties are likely to go broody, some are very unlikely. Individuals within breeds will vary.

 

[arcy liger]

leave some eggs in nest boxes and see their chest feathers if their shreading she is going to be broody

 

[Brandi Leigh]

Nope. There's not really anything you can do.

You can TRY putting some wooden eggs into the nest box, so there's always something to sit on. I've heard that can help. But that's certainly not going to cause a hen to go broody. Instead, it's more a support of a hen that already has broody tendencies.

What breeds of birds do you have? Some varieties are likely to go broody, some are very unlikely. Individuals within breeds will vary.

Good advise!

 

[BantamWhisperer]

Wish it was possible!

 

[Mrs. K]

Broodiness depends on the amount of daylight, the breed, and if the Gods are lined up correctly.

I do not add artificial light, however, I have often had a hen go broody mid May to end of June, so much so, that I have ordered chicks to come at the time period, hoping I get a broody hen.

in March or so, there will be a lot of people getting broody hen, and I once asked them, do you add light, and they all had. Those of us in the northern part on the US, have very short days for the winter,

When the daylight hours are getting pretty long, I will pile up some fake eggs, sometimes it has helped, kind of sorta, but you cant just make a hen go broody. I have no science to this, but if one has enough daylight, and the right breeds, then I think it also kind of helps if they have been raised by a broody hen....???? But I know my first ones were not,

MrsK

 

[chickenboy2001]

I have a buff orp hen and rooster, a d'uccle bantam hen and rooster, three easter egger hens, and a salmon faverolle hen.

 

[NosiphoChooks]

I believe orpingtons have a tendancy to go broody and make good mommas! Who wouldn't want to snuggle down to sleep under that fluffy tummy!

 

[luvmyEs]

Get silkies

. My silkies sat on fake eggs for 4 months straight until it got cold because I just refused to let them hatch anymore. They spent the whole summer raising chicks. Once the chicks hatched, mom would stay with them for 5-7 weeks and then be broody again.

 

[BantamWhisperer]

I had 5 silkie hens at once.... Not one went broody... EVER!