How come my hens never go broody?

[olijo123]

Hi! I have had chickens for 5 years now and I don't understand why they never go broody! I have had a few chickens that have tried but never seem to hatch them. I have standard chickens and bantams and I am mainly wanting my bantams to hatch out some eggs. I have 7 old English, 2 Japanese, 3 Serama, 1 mixed breed, one silkie polish mix and one silkie bantam. They have their own separate coop. It is small because I wanted one that would not make me get too many due to my addiction to bantams! LOL But even though I got a small coop to keep that from happening, I might have to add on to it! They free range but in a few weeks we are building them a pretty big pen so they will no longer free range. The coop has 3 nesting boxes in it. They are very spoiled and friendly and I wish they would hatch their own little babies! I have eggs in the incubator right now but in the years I have had chickens I have never hatched them naturally. I am not sure why they won't go broody so if anyone knows any reasons why please reply! Thanks!

 

[azelgin]

I really think it depends on the breed, source of the stock and individual.
I've had Easter eggers for 8 years and have never had a single one go broody. I've had other "non-broody" breeds go broody. Seems to be no real pattern to the chances.

 

[realsis]

I agree its definitely the breed! You want a broody then get a silkie. I have all silkies and they are mothers by nature and will hatch anything. People use silkies to hatch quail and other eggs as well. They are wonderful mothers and you will have NO problems getting a silkie to hatch your eggs, any eggs!! Doesn't even matter if it's their eggs! They are not picky! If you get a silkie you will have a wonderful broody. Silkies are very docile birds and if you get one make sure she's not picked on. Very loving motherly birds! You will have no problem getting silkies to go broody! Hope this helps.many people keep a few silkies just for this reason. They are the best breed for a broody.

 

[olijo123]

I really think it depends on the breed, source of the stock and individual.
I've had Easter eggers for 8 years and have never had a single one go broody. I've had other "non-broody" breeds go broody. Seems to be no real pattern to the chances.

Yes, I agree! I guess it just depends on the bird! Thanks!

 

[olijo123]

I agree its definitely the breed! You want a broody then get a silkie. I have all silkies and they are mothers by nature and will hatch anything. People use silkies to hatch quail and other eggs as well. They are wonderful mothers and you will have NO problems getting a silkie to hatch your eggs, any eggs!! Doesn't even matter if it's their eggs! They are not picky! If you get a silkie you will have a wonderful broody. Silkies are very docile birds and if you get one make sure she's not picked on. Very loving motherly birds! You will have no problem getting silkies to go broody! Hope this helps.many people keep a few silkies just for this reason. They are the best breed for a broody.

Okay! I will have to get a few of them! I have always thought they were adorable. Lol But a few local people around me might have some so I will have to check into getting some. I just wanted my birds to go broody so I would have the experience to see them hatch naturally! Thanks for your help!

 

[realsis]

Your welcome! You will just love the little broody silkies! They will surely hatch your eggs for you! I just love mine. Silkies have always been a favorite breed of mine. They are so sweet. I think you will enjoy them. You will have to cut out places so they can see because the crest will cover their eyes. I give mine a hair cut once a month. If you don't they can't see.

 

[olijo123]

Your welcome! You will just love the little broody silkies! They will surely hatch your eggs for you! I just love mine. Silkies have always been a favorite breed of mine. They are so sweet. I think you will enjoy them. You will have to cut out places so they can see because the crest will cover their eyes. I give mine a hair cut once a month. If you don't they can't see.

Okay! I will be sure to trim their crests! I am glad you replied because I wasn't sure which breed to go with! Thanks!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Also, just to throw this out there, with your smallish coop and so few nest boxes, the other birds could be the reason your hens have never hatched successfully. OE are amazing broodies, so are Japs, you already have a Silkie and the Silkie/Polish mix could be a good broody contender as well. What I'm saying is, you've already got breeds known for broodiness, so perhaps the crowding or your set up is the issue. If you get a broody, try separating her into a good sized cage, her own coop, a large box, dog kennel, add more nesting boxes, ect, with her own food, water and room to poop. No one will lay their eggs in her nest (which tend to push the other eggs out and allow them to cool, or they get so many they can't maintain proper temperature), no one can pick on her, she's safe from predators and the chicks will be contained the first few days while they're figuring things out.

I'm not trying to stop you from getting more Silkies, by all means, go for it. I LOVE mine, but it may not solve anything in the end and will just lead to more disappointment and more crowding.

Oh, and if you collect your eggs up everyday, try leaving some Easter eggs or golf balls in one of the boxes. Egg type things laying around helps them get in the broody mood, and you don't have to worry about them going bad or to waste while you're waiting for someone to sit on them. Good luck!

 

[olijo123]

Also, just to throw this out there, with your smallish coop and so few nest boxes, the other birds could be the reason your hens have never hatched successfully. OE are amazing broodies, so are Japs, you already have a Silkie and the Silkie/Polish mix could be a good broody contender as well. What I'm saying is, you've already got breeds known for broodiness, so perhaps the crowding or your set up is the issue. If you get a broody, try separating her into a good sized cage, her own coop, a large box, dog kennel, add more nesting boxes, ect, with her own food, water and room to poop. No one will lay their eggs in her nest (which tend to push the other eggs out and allow them to cool, or they get so many they can't maintain proper temperature), no one can pick on her, she's safe from predators and the chicks will be contained the first few days while they're figuring things out.

I'm not trying to stop you from getting more Silkies, by all means, go for it. I LOVE mine, but it may not solve anything in the end and will just lead to more disappointment and more crowding.

Oh, and if you collect your eggs up everyday, try leaving some Easter eggs or golf balls in one of the boxes. Egg type things laying around helps them get in the broody mood, and you don't have to worry about them going bad or to waste while you're waiting for someone to sit on them. Good luck!

Okay! This definitely makes sense! I will probably have to eventually expand my coop someday and add more nesting boxes. But I have an older coop that is extremely small with a small run attached to it. It would be perfect for a broody! Thank you for the help!