how do you get a hen to go broody?

[brandyb]

One of my hens is sitting on five eggs!!!

All i did different was instead of just wood chips in her nest, I added some hay and the next day she was sitting. She started sitting on Wednesday, 2-17-10, so on March 10, 2010, hopefully we will have five baby chicks. And of all times it started snowing last night and it is still snowing!! We aren't supposed to get snow. I live in south Mississippi, so I hope this crazy weather doesn't keep her from sitting on her eggs, since they've never seen snow before. I am so excited can't wait til March 10th.

 

[Orphy]

Woohoo! march 10 is my bday too!

 

[lemurchaser]

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Uh, today is 2-12-10, so I'm guessing she actually started on Weds 2-10-10, which makes them due March 3rd.

 

[Barred Rocker]

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I don't think so, I considered it once when a hen was sitting on some non-fertile eggs; when she went away to drink, I'd quickly shove a couple chicks into the nest! I didn't, though, just because I'm a control freak and didn't want them to be crushed!

Actually you'd want to do it while your broody is already setting on the nest. If she leaves and no chicks are there and she comes back and there are she's gonna know they ain't hers and she'll probably kill them. Hide them in your hand and place them under her without her seeing them and she'll think she hatched them. I've done it lots of times. I've taken chicks from broody hens while the rest are hatching and return them a couple of days later and if I put them in front of her she'll peck them but if I put them under her and let them make their appearance from under her feathers she'll defend them to the death.

 

[brandyb]

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Uh, today is 2-12-10, so I'm guessing she actually started on Weds 2-10-10, which makes them due March 3rd.

Ha, yeah you are right! Well I can't wait til March 3rd then. And I even used a calendar that's the sad part. 19 more days!!

 

[Audio51]

Maybe I just have an easy going hen (Blue Australorp hen in my profile pic), but I made no attempt to hide the fact that I was slipping chicks under my broody hen. She got 12 and accepted/defended them right away. I did it in broad daylight about 9 AM. I did keep them separated after hatch for about 2 weeks where they other hens could see them thru the wire. The intigrated into the flock very easily.

 

[RetiredRN]

One more thing, welcome to the forum!! /img/smilies/smile.png



Now if you are going to tuck day olds under a broody mama, you have to do it in the dark (at night) and be as quiet as you can.  Wake up with the chickens first thing and make sure the mama accepts them.  BTW, I've been doing this for years and years without any issues.  But just to play it safe, you must keep a close eye on the mama during the first waking moments.


Have fun!!

I have a Buff Orpington and the last two times she has gone broody I have let her sit on unfertilized eggs (no Rooster) for about 20 days and then traded the eggs for chicks. It has gone splendidly both times. I wait until it is about dark and then I switch them out. My hen has been in a private area with the eggs for at least 2 weeks by this time so the chicks are safe from the others.