why aren't my hens going broody?

[bj taylor]

i don't have an incubator. they're laying fertilized eggs every day. i have a barred rock, a buff orp, a black aust, and a silver laced wyandotte - from this collection of breeds i would expect someone to go broody. i want my girls to have some babies. am i supposed to be doing something to promote this behavior?
thanks for your input

 

[sumi]

Broodiness is hormonal and though you can encourage it, you cannot really make them go broody. Some breeds are more prone to broodiness than others, but it also depends on the individual hen. Hens do tend to go broody more often during Spring, so leave some fake eggs in their nest boxes and see if they get the hint. I've had some success with this method, so try it?

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Broodiness is hormonal and though you can encourage it, you cannot really make them go broody. Some breeds are more prone to broodiness than others, but it also depends on the individual hen. Hens do tend to go broody more often during Spring, so leave some fake eggs in their nest boxes and see if they get the hint. I've had some success with this method, so try it?

What sumi said.

It's very dependent on the individual chicken. I've had all the breeds you have (about 20 of each breed, I'd guess), and have never had a broody hen from any of them even though they are reputed to go broody. I have had broody Blue Laced Red Wyandottes, but never had a broody silver laced Wyandotte. I think those breeds may be more likely to go broody than a Leghorn, but most individuals within those breeds wont' ever go broody. If you really want a broody hen, get Silkies, game hens, dark Cornish, light Brahmas or Cochins.

I have a broody dark Cornish right now (purchased specifically to be a broody hen). She's not even a year old yet.