What makes a hen go broody?

[Hennypen]

If you put 6 eggs in a hens nest will that make her go broody? Trying to find a cheap 2nd incubator.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

The hen has to decide to go broody, but I have coaxed them into it with a clutch of eggs before, but have wasted more eggs trying to get them broody when they simply don't want to.

 

[pgpoultry]

The change to broodiness is triggered by hormone changes, so usually trying to induce broodiness is not going to be very successful,
Good luck anyway,
Sandie

 

[BarkerChickens]

Yep....hormones. BUT...once a hen goes broody, so does everyone else.

At least around here. One went broody, now I have 3! Same thing happened with DHs best friend! He has one go broody, now he has three!

 

[pgpoultry]

Yes, Broodiness is contagious, I have had hens go broody one after another. It is a fact that female animals co-ordinate their hormone cycles when they are kept together (and this includes humans.....but THAT is topic for another forum!)
Sandie

 

[Medicine Man]

Quote:
I'm trying to get one to go broody now, so I just replace the eggs weekly and put the old ones in the incubator.

I know she will do it, I busted her flying over the fence and building up a clutch, which has been her MO in the past, but I hope she will do it on my terms and in the safety of her hut.

 

[debilorrah]

I have found that the breeds I have never go broody long enough to see it through. I have barred rocks, white leghorns, buff orps, EE's, 1 Cuckoo maran, a polish, and some others.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Quote:
Mine too, they give up about 2 weeks

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Mine too, they give up about 2 weeks

Mine do too. Makes me so mad!!!

 

[Qi Chicken]

I don't know, but wish I did. I have two buff orps that seem to be broody ALL the time. I have tried to break them every time because they seem to be pretty determined. I don't know if they would see it through or not. They are hard to tell apart so we call one frito (her comb has a little part that is shaped like a frito) and spike (spiky comb). Frito will go off and then spike will follow. I took all the plastic eggs out of the nesting boxes because I thought maybe that was encouraging them. I plan to let them hatch in the spring so I guess we'll see if they can stick it.