My Hen

[Nanamoma]

Hello. I have 1 copper Maran hen and a Barr Rock Rooster. My hen is laying eggs at 1 per day. I have yet to see her become broody. I've decided to leave some of her eggs in the nesting box, with hopes she will incubate them. So far, no go.
Shes laying and leaving. Any suggestions? Yes, I understand I need more laying hens for 1 rooster. I had 7, however, 6 of them died for various reasons. Even with taking 3 of them to the vet. I got them from Tractor Supply. Never again!!! I've been raising laying hens since 2015, and most of those ladies died at the age at 4-5 years old. I honestly think I got some real subpar chicks this last time. Heartbreaking to say the least. Please, any suggestions on if there is a chance my hen may actually hatch some of her eggs.

 

[Jener8or]

Some hens will never go broody. Breed and genetics play a factor. Can you get an incubator or borrow one?

I love Lisa Steele from Fresh Eggs Daily. She has an article with tips on how you might convince your hen to go broody. https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2014/04/five-ways-to-encourage-hen-to-go-broody.html

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd leave fake eggs if you're trying to make a mock clutch, instead of leaving the real ones in place. Just so you don't end up with breakage and a whole mess.

If she doesn't go broody you'll need to incubate the eggs and raise the chicks yourself.

 

[Mrs. K]

I have tried more than once to encourage a hen to go broody, even with a known broody hen. They go on their own clock. I tend to get broodies at the end of May and beginning of June, one girl always went in July, and some do late summer.

A pile of eggs will sometimes flip it, but mostly it is up to the Gods.

One hen and one rooster - buy some chicks, just cause you got one bad batch does not mean they will all be bad. If you hatch eggs, you are going to have too many cockerels.

Mrs K

 

[Nanamoma]

I have tried more than once to encourage a hen to go broody, even with a known broody hen. They go on their own clock. I tend to get broodies at the end of May and beginning of June, one girl always went in July, and some do late summer.

A pile of eggs will sometimes flip it, but mostly it is up to the Gods.

One hen and one rooster - buy some chicks, just cause you got one bad batch does not mean they will all be bad. If you hatch eggs, you are going to have too many cockerels.

Mrs K

Hi, thank you for your response. I do have a group of eggs in her nesting box but she doesn't seem interested. As for as buying more chicks, I'm not there yet. I just thought if the hen wanted to raise a few then at that point I'd do what was necessary. Oh, and btw, I did purchase 10 chicks prior to going to TS. 9 were roosters so I gave them all away. Also, TS chicks were supposed to be pullets but 1 was a rooster.

 

[Nanamoma]

Some hens will never go broody. Breed and genetics play a factor. Can you get an incubator or borrow one?

I love Lisa Steele from Fresh Eggs Daily. She has an article with tips on how you might convince your hen to go broody. https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2014/04/five-ways-to-encourage-hen-to-go-broody.html

Hi. Thank you for the response and for the link. It is very information. I plan on trying her methods.