Make a Hen go Broody?

[GuineaLady93]

I was thinking about letting one of my hens sit some guinea eggs for me is this a good idea and will she do it? We have just been collecting her eggs everyday, so how can I make her go broody?? Can I just leave the egg she will lay in the morning and add about 15 or 20 guinea eggs???
Thanks,
Ashley

 

[Judy]

No. But if she goes broody, she will be happy to hatch your guinea eggs.

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

 

[vfem]

Hen's go broody by their natural hormones... so she won't broody until her body tells her too.

 

[GuineaLady93]

Quote:
What makes her body tell her to?

 

[Bravo]

Bring her to my house!

My girls raving hormones practically make my entire flock broody LOL

To answer your question, you really cant make her go broody. You can suggest it by leaving a pile of golf balls or fake eggs and hope her maternal instincts kick in, but there is no surefire way to make her actually do it.

Also, for a first-timer I wouldn't do Guinea eggs because they have a 4 week incubation time, as opposed to chickens of 3 weeks. Even if she does go broody, she may quit a few weeks into it and that would be a real disappointment.

When I have an experienced, big broody girl, I'll only let her incubate a max of a dozen eggs. This makes sure she can cover them all.

Best of luck!