How do you get a chicken to go broody

[JasperMoon]

If you are bound and determined to get a silky, (and there is nothing wrong with that) consider getting 2 or 3 and the possibility that they will have to be maintained separately from your other birds.

that is fine ^^ id just have have to build another coop

 

[staceyj]

For the record, silkies, a breed recognized by the APA, are not classified anywhere as "special needs".
They are a tiny breed yes. And delicate. And often don't survive in a mixed flock with larger breeds.
Comparing it to the canine world makes this an easily example. Would you confine a teacup chihuahua in a dog crate with a Neapolitan Mastiff? No. they chances of the tiny dog being injured or worse would be too great.

 

[kwhites634]

ok! I have 5 hens 1 roo, and only 2 are laying, though ive cought our roo several times breeding with the same hen, would that be an issue, do you think that maybe she might? I am not sure i am 100% new at this

My rooster has his favorite girlfriend, as evidenced by her appearance; he's hard on feathers. The last broody I had was on the nest most of this past Summer, with or without eggs. She's the only hen out of 6 that went broody, and she's not the favorite.

 

[staceyj]

ok! I have 5 hens 1 roo, and only 2 are laying, though ive cought our roo several times breeding with the same hen, would that be an issue, do you think that maybe she might? I am not sure i am 100% new at this

I appreciate your enthusiasm and desire to learn jasper, but we are currently in the season of winter. Many hens reproductive systems are just now starting to "wake back up" thanks to the lengthening days.
Did you know that the roosters reproductive system tends to "cycle" in much the same way?
Let's just say that spring will bring about a whole new world of chicken romance for your flock.
Be patient.
Keep reading and learning.

 

[JasperMoon]

For the record, silkies, a breed recognized by the APA, are not classified anywhere as "special needs".
They are a tiny breed yes. And delicate. And often don't survive in a mixed flock with larger breeds.
Comparing it to the canine world makes this an easily example. Would you confine a teacup chihuahua in a dog crate with a Neapolitan Mastiff? No. they chances of the tiny dog being injured or worse would be too great.

In my flock now there are 4 small hens and a large hen the large hen is on the top of the pecking order, our rooster is large aswell, they seem to get along, should that be diffrent then? or should I just start a new flock

 

[JasperMoon]

My rooster has his favorite girlfriend, as evidenced by her appearance; he's hard on feathers. The last broody I had was on the nest most of this past Summer, with or without eggs. She's the only hen out of 6 that went broody, and she's not the favorite.

that honnestly makes alot of sence, should I sepperate them? she is a small hen and he is massive compared to her

 

[JasperMoon]

I appreciate your enthusiasm and desire to learn jasper, but we are currently in the season of winter. Many hens reproductive systems are just now starting to "wake back up" thanks to the lengthening days.
Did you know that the roosters reproductive system tends to "cycle" in much the same way?
Let's just say that spring will bring about a whole new world of chicken romance for your flock.
Be patient.
Keep reading and learning.

yes ma'am of course! Im excited for the spring time, and learning is what I like to do, especially when it comes to animals. sorry for asking to many questions.

 

[staceyj]

It is up to a responsible chicken steward to make those decisions.
Chickens are very social creatures, it wouldn't be fair for one small one to live in isolation.
You may want to sit down and write out a long term plan to build two separate flocks eventually (and have two separate coops etc) if your parents give the go ahead and can provide for them.

 

[staceyj]

yes ma'am of course! Im excited for the spring time, and learning is what I like to do, especially when it comes to animals. sorry for asking to many questions.

Asking is how we learn.

 

[JedJackson]

The best way to encourage broodiness apart from having the right breed of hen is to make sure the hens are receiving optimum nutrition and are happy and unstressed. Hens that you want to brood should have feed with protein at 18-20% (20% is better) and they need to have a feed that includes all of their vitamin and mineral requirements.

As for Silkies being special needs, that all depends on your conditions. I wouldn't introduce Silkies to an established flock of large fowl, and I wouldn't free range them without supervision, either. And they need extra protection from wet conditions (so do Polish.) Otherwise they are pretty easy to keep.