How do I get my hen to go broody?

[cw]

what would be a good broody hen breed?

 

[92caddy]

A silky or anything mixed with a silky, or a banty of some kind, game hens are really good setters also. My cuckoo marans are really good setters.

 

[cw]

i want something big enough to to on rock eggs and good enough nature to be good hens to the chicks

 

[gckiddhouse]

So, 92caddy, I have a BO that has gone half broody (set for half the day), and I have read that they can be good setters and good mothers.
What would be the whole process. Would you break it down for me. I am not sure what facilities i would need. Thanks for the advice.
I don't have any silkies, but might put a silkie egg under my BO if this will work.

The other brilliant idea I had was to talk to a teacher and get a classroom project going with chick hatching. I provide the eggs (my choice of breed) and the kids do all the work and I get them when they are 6-8 weeks old. Has anyone ever done this?

 

[crooked stripe]

I had a BO that went broody with no eggs. I keep pushing her out of the nest box for a week. I then gave in a bought a dozen OEGB eggs from Meyer. She hatched out 7 of the 12. She was the best of mothers. She protected her chicks so well she almost killed 2 other hens that where getting to close to the chicks. That only happened twice till they learned to stay away. From then on all she had to do was to fluff up like a feather duster and the other chickens would run. Remarkable to watch. I will do it again.

 

[HorseFeathers]

I don't think you can "make" a hen go broody any more than "make" her lay an egg. Silkies, however, go broody extremely often so you'd have a good chance of her being broody when you want her to be.

 

[chickorama]

Umm... I don't think you really can. You just wait for it to happen on it's own.

 

[92caddy]

Envirogirl12--------------- a hen can be made to go broody, I have done it many of times.

GCkidd----------Im not sure what BO is, I dont know what for set up you have, like nest wise. If you have the metal 10 or 12 hole nest, then put her in one of the nest and put a cover over it so she cant get out. Like a piece of plywood. Put some fake eggs in there with and let her in there. Let her out once a day to poop, eat and drink, then put her back in there. Im telling you this way cause you say she is half broody. If she wasnt half broody then you would do the same thing the same way only put her in a box, with small holes for air, and keep it as dark as poss.

Depending on the hen and the breed, it may take a day or 2 or it may take a week or so.

Some breeds are not setters and some are really good setters.

I have done this with some of my hens many of times and it does work, but I have had a hen or 2 that it didnt, but most of the time it has.

I keep some mutt banty hens around because they like to sit alot and they are pretty easy to get to go broody. I also have some game hens and they are really good sitters and mothers and my cuckoo marans are great at it also and I can fit a doz under them where the banties I may only be able to 6 or so under them.

Ive only ever had maybe 2 hens that werent good mothers, in that case I gave the chicks to another hen or put em in a brooder. Ive had a hen or 2 not take another hens chicks, but most of the time they would.

I hope this will help you out. Good luck. Any more questions feel free to ask..............

 

[gckiddhouse]

My BO is a Buff Orpington.
Thanks for the advice. I have been drooling over the hatching eggs available on this forum and I have got to find a way. I just might try it!!!

 

[Ellie]

It seems that Cochins go broody easily.