Number of eggs to smoke out a broody?

[michickenwrangler]

How many eggs does it take for a broody hen to decide she wants to brood on them?

I have 6 wooden eggs, will that be enough?

 

[BooBear]

Not sure, I thought a couple might start the process.
I am sure someone with Broody experience will send more input.

 

[Judy]

Eggs don't make a hen go broody. Either her hormones cause it to happen or they don't.

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

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Agreed. I've left up to 14 eggs in a nest in my brahma coop. My hens never gave the eggs a second look; just added theirs to the pile and left.

 

[sourland]

What ddawn and gritsar said!

 

[michickenwrangler]

So I'll just go out there one day and I'll have a broody cochin? Eggs or not?

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
The one broody I have right now - a salmon faverolles - was setting on nothing. I gave her three golfballs to start. When she proved serious I replaced the golfballs with eggs.

 

[michickenwrangler]

When the days get longer, will a hen be more likely to go broody?

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

No, I have broodies who love the midst of winter - one with chicks right now and one on eggs

Hormones and plenty of food is what seems to be needed here. My girls like to plump up a bit before brooding.


Mine tend to go from - part of the flock, easy going friendly to everyone - to puffing up angrily when another hen goes near and really screaming when the roo comes around. Then they claim a nest box and they do not care if there is an egg, no eggs or a hen laying.

 

[Nava]

Quote:
hormones cause it, not longer days, I got 2 right now and the days are short, one is on day 14