MAKING a hen go broody?

[Mr Gamecock]

I didnt mean I have Game Breeds! Mr Gamecock Is a refrence to the Univeristy of South Carolina(their mascot is the Gamecock)
I have 1 Brahma Rooster and 7 hybrids

 

[RockerHen]

Hens go broody when their genetics and instincts trigger the hormonal change to tell them they need to set. They cannot control it and neither can you. Many hens never go broody, ever, even if they are a breed commonly considered to be a broody one.

There are exceptions to this, as I had a hatchery RIR (most likely a production red) go broody the first time when she was three years old. My Orpingtons have gone broody, both the lavenders and both Buff Orps. A couple of my Easter Eggers have gone broody. A bantam Cochin mix has gone broody several times in her two years. That's out of fifty some hens.

Those people who say they have "made" their hens go broody have been lucky in timing their efforts with their hens' naturally rising hormone levels.

I know many folks who have never had a broody hen, and they've tried.

X2. If you want a consistently broody hen, get a breed known for it, such as a silkie or game hen. It's not guaranteed, but there's a good chance you'll get a hen interested in being a mother. Every single silkie hen I own has gone broody this summer, some multiple times. One has gone broody 3 times, and successfully hatched and raised three clutches, since March (the girl in my avatar, actually). And this has been her pullet year, she just started laying in February. Hybrid and hatchery hens rarely go broody, as it has been mostly bred out of them.

 

[Mr Gamecock]

well I hate to hear that I was hoping for baby chicks

 

[chickensval]

X2. If you want a consistently broody hen, get a breed known for it, such as a silkie or game hen. It's not guaranteed, but there's a good chance you'll get a hen interested in being a mother. Every single silkie hen I own has gone broody this summer, some multiple times. One has gone broody 3 times, and successfully hatched and raised three clutches, since March (the girl in my avatar, actually). And this has been her pullet year, she just started laying in February. Hybrid and hatchery hens rarely go broody, as it has been mostly bred out of them. 

I just got two Rhode island reds today as a gift from a friend... They are both hens, are Rhode island reds a good breed for broodiness?

 

[gryeyes]

Chickensval, if you got your RIR from a feed store or hatchery, chances are your RiR won't go broody. With that said, my 3 year old feed store production red I call a RIR because that's what the feed store said it was... . Anyway, she went broody for the first time this past Spring at age three. I was VERY surprised!

 

[animallover505]

I have had a buff orpington and a Dominique from a hatchery go broody, but like it was mentioned before, there is never a guarantee.

 

[chickensval]

Well, I'm not 100% sure they're RIR... I got them from a local chicken owner... I was TOLD they are RIR, but they aren't looking like it. I can't get a good picture of mine, but here's some VERY similar to how they are. Any ideas on the breed?

[/IMG]

 

[chickensval]

 

[animallover505]

Those are gold comets. They are bred for production, and probably won't go broody. Sorry

 

[chickensval]

Those are gold comets.  They are bred for production, and probably won't go broody.  Sorry

Darn, that sucks :/