How to encourage Hens to go broody?

[Muhammad Ahtisham Ali]

Well I have got 4 Japaneses bantam 2 Asil Hens. They all are laying eggs. I just want to know that how can I encourage them to go broody?

 

[JedJackson]

Chickens go broody when they want to go broody. Making sure they're healthy, stress free and fed quality feed is a good starting point. Making a separate area in the coop that can be closed off when the hen goes broody to prevent other chickens from laying in her nest will help. And leaving some eggs in the nest, even fake ones, seems to help with some hens. All that said, hens tend to go broody most in spring or early summer when the days are lengthening. If you live in a cold climate it's probably best the hens wait til next spring to brood.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Broodiness is completely hormonal. Hens either are or aren't broody and don't even need eggs to sit on in order to "go" broody. My Silkies are so broody they get that way every time they lay 3 eggs.

That being said... making sure they feel secure and having high quality nutrients are the 2 best things you can do. In nature animals will breed and such when they feel their is an abundance of food. One way to do this is to make sure you aren't giving too many treats that diminish the protein value in the feed. 16% (as in layer feed) is the bare minimum required to sustain them. Higher protein levels promote hardier hatches and chicks according to studies... which to me also says better nutrition in the eggs we are getting from them.

The secure part, can be effected by how crowded your coop might be and how harsh the pecking order is. If everybody gets along pretty well with plenty of space then the stress should be less and hens should be happier.

 

[21hens-incharge]

The good news is that your bantam Japanese are a breed that tends to go broody.

 

[JedJackson]

The good news is that your bantam Japanese are a breed that tends to go broody.

Asil are also very broody.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Good to know. I have no personal experience with the. I think they are interesting looking though.

 

[Muhammad Ahtisham Ali]

Good to know. I have no personal experience with the. I think they are interesting looking though.

This is how they are

Asil

• Muhammad Ahtisham Ali
• Sep 30, 2017

 

[Muhammad Ahtisham Ali]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Broodiness is completely hormonal. Hens either are or aren't broody and don't even need eggs to sit on in order to "go" broody. My Silkies are so broody they get that way every time they lay 3 eggs.

That being said... making sure they feel secure and having high quality nutrients are the 2 best things you can do. In nature animals will breed and such when they feel their is an abundance of food. One way to do this is to make sure you aren't giving too many treats that diminish the protein value in the feed. 16% (as in layer feed) is the bare minimum required to sustain them. Higher protein levels promote hardier hatches and chicks according to studies... which to me also says better nutrition in the eggs we are getting from them.

The secure part, can be effected by how crowded your coop might be and how harsh the pecking order is. If everybody gets along pretty well with plenty of space then the stress should be less and hens should be happier.

Thank You so much.

 

[Kabootar]

This is how they are

Asil

• Muhammad Ahtisham Ali
• Sep 30, 2017

Great choice Ahtisham I always keep a bunch of Aseel hens for hatching eggs each of my Aseels go broody atleast 4 times a year and they are excellent mothers. I really doubt there is another better mother than Aseel hens in the chicken world. I hope you had success with this beautiful hen.