Quote: My first broody was a hatchery red that went broody at 7.5 months. I thought she was young, but I thoroughly tested her to see if she meant business.
-At night, I'd take her out of the nest and put her on the roost. Did that for 3 nights.
-During the day, I'd take her off the nest, walk out to the farthest area away from the hen house and deposit her on the ground. Several times a day. For 3 days. She kept coming back.
-Then I made her a nest in a brooding area where the others couldn't get in to lay eggs. Moved her into it in the dark at night. Watched her there a couple days to see if she stayed. She did.
This was last December. She raised 4 chicks for me in the freezing cold winter with no heat. Took care of them when they were "huge"...to keep them warm. It was comical to see those big kids still going under mom.
Same girl went broody in August. She now has 3 kiddos that she hatched and is caring for...2 weeks old.