Priming a Known Broody hen - step 1

[Mrs. K]

As I posted earlier - I am going to try and induce a broody hen to go broody on my time schedule.

Yesterday I set up a new nest with a towel hanging over it that is a small dog crate. I put a golf ball in there.
Today - there were two eggs in there. I removed them and added two more fake eggs. I plan to repeat this until I get a nice clutch in there.
Begin praying hard.

I am going to give this several days, and then if I have no takers, I will confine one of my known broody' in there.

Mrs K

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Good luck. Mine never cooperate. Are these bantams or standards?

 

[Mrs. K]

standard barn yard mixes. Three of them went broody last summer for me. Hoping for one or two.

 

[3KillerBs]

 

[WIchickMama]

Excited to see how this goes!

 

[McChooky]

As I posted earlier - I am going to try and induce a broody hen to go broody on my time schedule.

Yesterday I set up a new nest with a towel hanging over it that is a small dog crate. I put a golf ball in there.
Today - there were two eggs in there. I removed them and added two more fake eggs. I plan to repeat this until I get a nice clutch in there.
Begin praying hard.

I am going to give this several days, and then if I have no takers, I will confine one of my known broody' in there.

Mrs K

Being around baby chicks triggers the hens.Can you set up a brooder near the hens and get a couple from tractor supply?

Good luck!

 

[Isadora]

 

[Mrs. K]

Nada - got no where. Brooding in the garage. BOO!

 

[NanaK]

Nada - got no where. Brooding in the garage. BOO!

Nine years ago was my first year with chickens. I had a Buff Orp roo who died at about 1 yr old. I was heartbroken. I had several hens also about 1 yr old. There was a few Australorps, Rhode Island Reds, 1 Silver Laced Wyandotte and 1 Buff Orp. I collected eggs and put 9 in a nest box hoping someone would decide to sit. Really not expecting anything to happen.

I suppose it was beginners luck but that Buff Orp locked down on that nest within 3 days. She was a defensive broody. I marked those eggs when she took a break so I could remove any the other girls added later. I had to watch for her to leave the nest to do this! She tied up the nest box but she hatched 4 babies! 3 boys and 1 girl. We moved her and the babies to a private area after they hatched. I now use a broody area for my girls hatching.

I've never tried this again but I still have that same Buff Orp hen and she is now referred to as 'Mama Bird'. She has always been a good mama and raised alot of chicks over the years.

Mama Bird is now 9 years old and retired from all that but still a wonderful member of my flock!

 

[McChooky]

Nine years ago was my first year with chickens. I had a Buff Orp roo who died at about 1 yr old. I was heartbroken. I had several hens also about 1 yr old. There was a few Australorps, Rhode Island Reds, 1 Silver Laced Wyandotte and 1 Buff Orp. I collected eggs and put 9 in a nest box hoping someone would decide to sit. Really not expecting anything to happen.

I suppose it was beginners luck but that Buff Orp locked down on that nest within 3 days. She was a defensive broody. I marked those eggs when she took a break so I could remove any the other girls added later. I had to watch for her to leave the nest to do this! She tied up the nest box but she hatched 4 babies! 3 boys and 1 girl. We moved her and the babies to a private area after they hatched. I now use a broody area for my girls hatching.

I've never tried this again but I still have that same Buff Orp hen and she is now referred to as 'Mama Bird'. She has always been a good mama and raised alot of chicks over the years.

Mama Bird is now 9 years old and retired from all that but still a wonderful member of my flock!

What a wonderful story!The best part is you still have her!Thanks for sharing story!