How to make hens go broody.

[KaylorFarms]

I was wondering, Do all roosters mate hens if given the chance? Also how do you make hens go broody?

 

[dragonthehunter]

You can't make a hen go broody and yes roosters will mate any hen they get the chance to. That doesn't mean they will fertilize the eggs because a smaller rooster would have a harder time to fertilize a bigger hens egg

 

[KaylorFarms]

Thanks for the info! If you leave the eggs in the nesting box will the chicken eventually sit on it?

 

[shortgrass]

I was wondering, Do all roosters mate hens if given the chance? Also how do you make hens go broody?

They can't really be "forced", but if you have a broody breeds, like a silkie or Cochin, you can encourage them by darkening a nesting box and leaving a few eggs in it constantly. They like privacy to brood, and they won't really brood unless they have a clutch of eggs. If you leave all the eggs in one box for a few days, somebody might get the urge, but again, the breed would be the most important factor. Most egg layers aren't bred to go broody.

 

[dragonthehunter]

Thanks for the info! If you leave the eggs in the nesting box will the chicken eventually sit on it?

No what breeds of chickens do you have?

 

[KaylorFarms]

Ok, Thank you dragon the hunter and shortgrass!

 

[dragonthehunter]

Ok, Thank you dragon the hunter and shortgrass!

You're welcome

 

[junebuggena]

I have yet to have a hen go broody just because there was a pile of eggs sitting around. And I've got 3 very broody hens in my flock. Your girls will either go broody or not, but there is absolutely nothing you can do to make it happen. If there was a way to make hens broody on demand, nobody would need incubators.

 

[shortgrass]

I have yet to have a hen go broody just because there was a pile of eggs sitting around. And I've got 3 very broody hens in my flock. Your girls will either go broody or not, but there is absolutely nothing you can do to make it happen. If there was a way to make hens broody on demand, nobody would need incubators.

Lol you could try what I did this last time... I sat Little Momma down and real nicely told her that I needed her to brood some eggs for me, "don't you miss being a mommy?"..


She went broody the next day

 

[junebuggena]

I've tried. They are Australorps, and even though they are very broody, they won't brood in spring. They are strictly end of summer/fall broodies. Darn Australians with their upside down seasons.