Lots of broody questions! Please answer!

[wings]

I will be getting Silver Laced Wyandottes, Barred Rocks, and Buff Orpingtons (IN FIVE DAYS!!!). I have lots of questions about broody hens, because I don't have enough space (or time) for a broody hen. So, here are my questions:

1. Which hens do I have to worry most about in terms of going broody?

2. Are there any signs I can pick out that a hen will eventually go broody?

3. Is there anything that I can do to prevent my hens from going broody?

4. If my hens DO go broody, how can I discourage/ stop the broodiness?

 

[azelgin]

1. Wyandottes & Orpingtons

2. NO

3. NO

4. Lock them up in a WIRE floored cage with food and water for a few days. Their not being able to keep their bottom warm is supposed to end the cycle. I've also heard setting them in cold water works. Didn't for mine.

 

[hinkjc]

Depends where you're getting them from. Most hatchery birds have the natural broodiness bred out of them and they focus more on production. Although there are exceptions. I find my buff orps are very broody. There are several ways to break them. I find the easiest way and least stressful is to roost them in the dark. If they don't get to continuously sit on the nest, they tend to break. Another method is to put them in a wire cage or outside pen on grass. Because they can't access their cozy nest, they tend to break after several days to two weeks. This is more stressful tho, as it means changing their environment.

The most common sign is staying in the nest (day and night) and refusing to leave. Sometimes they'll peck you or "growl" because they don't want you bothering their mission. lol If you do move them off of the nest, they'll lay on the ground puffed up and sometimes "growl" or "purr". Then they get up quickly and run off screaming. There is no way that I'm aware of to prevent natural broodiness. This is an inborn tendency that hens have when they want to hatch babies.