making hen go broody?

[jcskowronek]

I don't know if this is the right thread to put this in, but is it possible to encourage a hen to go broody? if so, how?

 

[cavemanrich]

As far as I know, they will only go broody on their own desires. Certain breeds are prone to go broody, like Silkies, and Cochins, more often. Some breeds like white leghorns and others, seldom do.

WISHING YOU BEST..

 

[QueenMisha]

Depends on the hen. With my broody breeds - Silkies, Cochins, Gamefowl - it's not difficult. The best way to do it is to stick a bunch of fake eggs in a nice secluded nesting box and waiting. I've actually watched an example of this happening the past several days - I got a bit lax on collecting eggs, collecting only once a day instead of twice, and within three days, one each of my Cornish and ShamoX hens started to brood.

However, it's hard to encourage a less broody breed to brood, e.g. production types and "occasionally" broody breeds. And of course no hen will brood during molting or times of stress, and few will brood during the winter.