I have a rooster! Now how do I get my hens to go broody?

[mycritter]

My BO pullet started crowing
I'd like to get a batch of chicks from him. I have two hens that are laying regularly, an EE and a Production Black. I also have 2 BR that lay once in a blue moon
The cockerel is in a separate tractor with a CM. They are around 14-16 weeks, so I don't expect babies from her. I let them all out for a couple hours in the evening.

When will the BO be able to make chicks?
How much access does he need to the laying hens to get a fertile egg? How do I get the laying hens to sit on the eggs and hatch them?

I'm so excited!

 

[sumi]

A hen will lay fertile eggs for 3-4 weeks after a successful mating, so the cockerel only needs a little time with the ladies to get the job done, if they let him. Young cockerels may need to practice a bit before getting the hang of it though, so I'd suggest you give him time and check the eggs for fertility before setting them. You'll be looking for a little "bullseye" on the yolk, pics here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/16008/how-to-tell-a-fertile-vs-infertile-egg-pictures/0_30

Broodiness in hens is unfortunately not something we can control. It depends on the individual hen as well as the breed, so all you can do is wait and see if one of them goes broody or not. I have had some success in the past with leaving eggs in the nest boxes as "bait", but again, it's not a guarantee that it will work.

 

[mycritter]

Are they more likely to go broody if they are mating?

 

[aart]

Are they more likely to go broody if they are mating?

Nope...it's all about the individual hen whether they will go broody or not.
There are few breeds that are more likely to go broody.....like silkies.

 

[AmericanMom]

Are they more likely to go broody if they are mating?

Nada, I had a BA that went broody twice a year for 2 years, never had a rooster... Got a rooster and she has never went broody again..
Go figure

 

[mycritter]

Nooooo! I want babies

 

[AmericanMom]

Nooooo! I want babies

Just buy breeds of hens that are prone to broodiness... ... I may have overdone it...out of the 45+ chickens that I bought atleast 30 of them are of the broody breed, it may get interesting around here next year