is it possible to make your hen go broody in february

[blueseal]

i would like to hatch some out with one of my hens early this year last 2 yrs my hen got broody the end of may.

 

[DTchickens]

they'll only go broody when they decide its the right time.. mostly when the right daylight kicks in. you can increase that with artificial lighting... keep them mites/lice/worm free. keep them healthy.. not fat nor skinny. fresh water, best to keep them on grass or let them free range a couple hours a day. if you want to see how far along they are.. pick the hens up, and feel around their vent. you'll feel 2 bones (pelvic bones) if you can fit 2 fingers inbetween the bones they are or are about to lay. For bantams im still experimenting to see but im guessing one since their so small. have also heard leaving a few fake eggs in the nest will increase the "want/need" to lay


PS. when it starts to get time for laying i like to feed them some fruit. also will mix up some bread/eggs to give them and stuff like that.

 

[spook]

I wish there was a way to get a girl to go broody. (someday I'll regret this comment) but I believe it is a hormonal thing -someone correct me if I'm wrong. Hope you have a happy broody chicken soon!

 

[the_eagle69]

I really dont belive that it is posable to make one go broody but i did notice a few times a few years ago while feeding straght shelled corn a large number of hens went broody this happend twice.

they still got to eat so might be worth a try.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Ya cant make it happen but you can make it more likely. Leave the nest full of eggs an over feed them corn.

A fat hen with an over abundance of food an a nest full of eggs has the incentive an the energy stores to wont to go broody.