How do I get my hens to go broody?

[JarvisChickens]

Hi there.

I really want to see my hens hatching their own chicks this spring/summer. I have had chickens for about 4 years now, and have not had too much luck with my hens going broody, except for 2 years ago... but then a weasel came and killed half of my chickens. The main chickens I have are Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds, and Faverolles(all bantams). I am assuming that the RIR's will not go broody, but I'm hoping the others will. Is there anything I can do to increase the chance of them setting on some eggs? Is there certain food that will trigger the instinct? Please let me know!

Thanks.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi &

I’m afraid you can’t “make” a hen broody as such but you can possibly encourage it. This is an interesting read ~
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/encouraging-or-discouraging-broodiness-in-your-hens.64397/

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Make secluded nests, and either put fake eggs in there, or allow them to sit on 1 through the day. Make sure you remove it at evening though, or it may start to develop.

 

[JarvisChickens]

Okay, thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Pray to St. Brigid, the patron saint of chickens. I did and now I have 2 broody hens.

 

[RodNTN]

I was really hoping that my Buff Orpingtons would go broody soon (they are very broody breeds) but this didn't happen, so I had to settle with the bator.

 

[MillersFarm]

i'd start leaving any eggs you get in the nesting boxes and let them build up, I haven't collected my eggs in over a week from my bantams and now I have 5 broodies.

 

[JarvisChickens]

Thanks MillersFarm, I'll try that, but maybe with golf balls instead of letting the eggs build up as if I am not collecting for hatching, my mom uses them in the kitchen.

 

[MillersFarm]

Thanks MillersFarm, I'll try that, but maybe with golf balls instead of letting the eggs build up as if I am not collecting for hatching, my mom uses them in the kitchen.

Golf balls or wooden eggs will work as well~

 

[RodNTN]

Wooden eggs usually work best. I have tried golf balls for years but my chickens won't sit on them, they'll even kick them out of the nest!
Even though they can get kicked out very easily by accident, Easter eggs work well too