This might be the first time this question has been asked... UPDATE =D

[rebecca10782]

but how do you encourage a hen to go broody???

 

[jenjscott]

Nope, I`ve seen that question before. and the answer is ....The best way to get a hen to go broody is to go spend a lot of money on an incubator, turner, etc. The more expensive, the more likely she is to go broody.

 

[sangel4you]

lmao!

how true I'm sure that is!

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Ahhh, so true. You can also watch the weather forecast. If blizzard, hurricane or tornadic activity are forecasted then get ready. They'll all go broody. If the weather is supposed to be nice, then no deal.

Wait... maybe that's just mine...

 

[jakmallex]

I put golf balls in the nest boxes. I had 2 go broody in a week.

 

[rebecca10782]

Well they have pingpong balls in there to show the young girls where to lay and they just kick them out

I don't want them to go broody yet though, our little rooster hasn't matured completely yet. But if he does figure everything out, I would like to hatch a couple out

 

[rebecca10782]

Anyone else? I really would like to get a girl to go broody, any other ideas other than just leaving the eggs in the nest???

 

[Judy]

Own breeds that often go broody.

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

 

[Chirpy]

Although some people have gotten their hens to go broody by putting golf balls, fake eggs or such in the next boxes that usually doesn't work. But, it sure can't hurt to try.

Generally, you cannot make a hen go broody. She will or she won't and it will be when she's good and ready; which may not be when you are!

Look through the list that ddawn linked to and pick some of those breeds if you want a better chance at having a broody. Silkies are the best known breed to go broody.

I've had my first chickens for over two years and only one has gone broody (Australorp) and she's only gone broody once.

Good luck.

 

[greyhorsewoman]

Chirpy is right. If it was easy (perhaps possible) to get a hen to go broody, incubators would never have been invented. There is no way to tell if the fake eggs, etc actually result in a hen going broody or if she was just going to go broody at the point anyway.

Some breeds are more prone to go broody. Some breeds are more prone never to go broody. That you can work with.