How to get hens to brood & do I separate them?

[Couchmo]

I WANT a couple hens to set. What are the best ways to encourage broodiness? Should I separate these hens from the rest of the flock? Any & all advice appreciated

 

[sourland]

First of all, what breeds do you have. Many breeds rarely go broody. Some feel that allowing a hen to accumulate a clutch will inspire broodiness. Generally you just have to wait until their hormones program them to set. Some allow hens to set in a flock environment. I prefer to have them set someplace where they can not be disturbed by flock mates.

 

[chickens really]

Hello..As mentioned some never go Broody. Certain breeds though definitely are prone to broodiness. I wait till my Hens start to Brood and commit for a bout 3 to 4 days. Then I crate her separate from the others or other Hens will deposit eggs in her nest too. Plus Broody Hens like privacy.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Yeah, you can't make any hen go broody when you want them to. All mine decided to wait until the hottest time of the summer last year to go broody and I ended up with a LOT of rotten eggs. If that happens again this year, I'll just give them incubator babies.

 

[Couchmo]

First of all, what breeds do you have. Many breeds rarely go broody. Some feel that allowing a hen to accumulate a clutch will inspire broodiness. Generally you just have to wait until their hormones program them to set. Some allow hens to set in a flock environment. I prefer to have them set someplace where they can not be disturbed by flock mates.

Hello..As mentioned some never go Broody. Certain breeds though definitely are prone to broodiness. I wait till my Hens start to Brood and commit for a bout 3 to 4 days. Then I crate her separate from the others or other Hens will deposit eggs in her nest too. Plus Broody Hens like privacy.

Right now I have Ameraucanas, Black Australorps, Buff Orpingtons, Production Reds, Highline Browns & a few incubator hatched mixed breeds. I’ve got some Wyandottes on the way. I currently have about 50 hens & roosters & they all free range together.

 

[chickens really]

Right now I have Ameraucanas, Black Australorps, Buff Orpingtons, Production Reds, Highline Browns & a few incubator hatched mixed breeds. I’ve got some Wyandottes on the way. I currently have about 50 hens & roosters & they all free range together.

All hatchery stock? The Orpington might go Broody for you.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Right now I have Ameraucanas, Black Australorps, Buff Orpingtons, Production Reds, Highline Browns & a few incubator hatched mixed breeds. I’ve got some Wyandottes on the way. I currently have about 50 hens & roosters & they all free range together.

Your BAs and BOs have the best chance of going broody, but I've heard of chronically broody Ameraucanas.

 

[chickens really]

I never had hatchery Birds go Broody for me. Only breeder stock from other Broody Hens.

 

[Redhead Rae]

I've had only 2 broody BOs from hatchery stock (out of 8 girls) one only went broody in her second summer. The first went broody at 7 months. I also had 1 leghorn go broody in her second year and raise 5 chicks for 4 months.

 

[chickens really]

I've had only 2 broody BOs from hatchery stock (out of 8 girls) one only went broody in her second summer. The first went broody at 7 months. I also had 1 leghorn go broody in her second year and raise 5 chicks for 4 months.

Yep..Some need to mature before they go Broody. I have a young Silkie with Chicks and she is only 9 months