Why do all my hens go broody?

[randomchick]

I am having a bit of a problem in that my chickens seem to love going broody. I know this may not sound like a problem to most, but I only have 6 laying hens, (lots of little ones not yet laying) and from the 6 I have had 3 go broody on me, all summer. The 3 have hatched out 7 clutches this summer, and I have 2 hens sitting on the same clutch right now (only because I refused to one of them sit on her own so she joined the other hen).

So the question is, how can I influence my girls to stop mothering their babies?
I have already tried taking away eggs but then they seem to stop laying and run from nest to nest when the others lay, for weeks.

Any suggestions?

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

All I can think of is get a different breed.

 

[catfish/okie]

Its in the breed of chickens some are prone to go broody. Some almost never set. Leghorns, most RIRs, Sex-Links are layers that wont go broody often (if at all).A lot af bantams,Orpingtons,Games,Cochins, and Austrulorps often go roody. Most standard chickens that lay white eggs wont hardly ever brood. Welcome to the BYC!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
I second this, I've never had any luck getting my hens to break their broodiness. There are some breeds that are supposed to be non-broody, maybe you should go with one of those?

 

[aussieheelr]

Yeah new breed... TRADE ME! I want broodies so bad. Although i'm in Colorado.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
If you want broodies so bad, I've got a bunch of bantam eggs here that need a new home. I haven't gotten more than 2-3 eggs a day all summer for all my broodies! And I have at least 15 hens!!

 

[aussieheelr]

ah see i don't have a bator. Talked my DH into letting the chickens do the work but after i got my 1st round of chicks from the mail he doesn't want them in the house again.

So to keep peace the broody is how I get to go.
Don't need us to be

so broody it is.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Quote:
You are a lucky person.

 

[lovemychix]

Mine are always broody too. I have chickies everywhere.

Too bad I'm selling them. I can't keep them all.

 

[austinhart123]

collect the eggs every day, my hens never go broody on nothing, although i know some are more determined than others