how many fake eggs to encourage broodiness?

[brummie]

the 3 most likeliest breeds to go broody in my flock are 1 light sussex, 1 blue orpington and 1 lavender orpington. All large fowl. I know there's not a lot I can do about it but I was hoping fake eggs would help somewhat. I've had a mix of golf balls and medium sized hard boiled eggs in 2 nests for a couple of weeks, but still no broody. In total 8 fake eggs in one nest and 9 or 10 in the other nest at different times.

Because the golf balls and eggs are fairly small is that enough or could it make a difference if I add some more, or put in bigger eggs? Or is the 8 or 9 enough if any of them feels like going broody? Is it possible to have too many that it puts a potential broody off?

Also are the lavender and blue orps as broody as the buffs?

 

[sumi]

Broodiness in my experience can be encouraged by placing fake eggs in the nest, but at the end of the day it's up to the hens and her hormones. Some hens will find one egg in the nest and go sit on it. My MIL's bantams, for example, were crazy broody. I didn't collect eggs once and when I did get round to it after 2 days I found 4 broody hens lined up like peas in a pod, sitting on the eggs. Other hens will pile them up for a month and just keep adding to the clutch without a thought of trying to hatch them. All you can do is try and hope they'll fall for it.

I'm afraid I can't tell you which of you hens are most likely to go broody. But best of luck and fingers crossed they will fall for it and hatch some chicks for you.