New to hatching

[Sammythepup]

I've had my chickens for 4-5 years I got them as little chicks and now we got a rooster to try and get new chicks and want to try letting the hens hatch the eggs, But none of them have seemed very broody before, My question is if older birds can become broody after getting a rooster or if we'll have to get an incubator.

 

[Sammythepup]

Forgot to mention I have buff orpingtons and Ameraucanas which I've heard are more likely to be broody.

 

[Pork Pie]

The presence of a rooster makes no difference, from my experience

 

[SuperMell]

We have 2 buff orpingtons of unknown age (adopted them already laying from Craigslist February 2016). Neither one went broody last year, they were mostly free ranging in the yard & were nesting in some ferns along the back of the house. My kids tend to get a bit wild & noisy so I guess they just didn't feel safe enough. Anyway, built them a little nesting shack & a large run this spring so they could have some peace from the kids. One hen finally went properly broody after several weeks of being about 50/50 on the nest & is currently at 18 days on a clutch of 12 eggs. The other hen seems to be following suit but she wants to use the same nest that the broody hen is already on Having a very small (just tall enough for them to stand up with fully stretched necks & only fits 2 nest boxes but can squeeze in a third if needed) & fairly dark nesting shack seems to have made the difference for us. Good luck.

 

[chickens really]

At that age....They will not be Broody....If they have not gone Broody before?...They won't now....A Rooster will fertilize eggs but not get the Hens Broody.....Buy an incubator.....

 

[Sammythepup]

Thanks for the input!