A sudden change in the mood of the hen is what indicates its broodiness. In this period, they sit on the eggs as if they are glued there forever. When one attempts to disturb the hen, it will show a different defense mechanism where they would set itself to attack the provoker. You will see it raising its feathers to signal an attack. In this stage, the hen will slightly lose its appetite in eating more. This is but a natural stage during their egg-laying period.
The absence of light will somewhat impact the broodiness of the chicken, especially if it is a warm ambiance. This will stimulate their broodiness and what it makes it more motivating on the part of the hen is when you place an artificial egg on its nest. Remember that a dark place plus a warm temperature has an essential role in activating the broodiness of the hen.
Furthermore, the ambiance of the nesting area elevates the broodiness of the chicken. As mentioned earlier, warm weather perfectly impacts the mood of the chicken, which activates its broodiness. You must not put the eggs away from the vision of the hen because it will reduce the broodiness of the chicken. Yet, this is usually practiced by poultry industries that use incubators rather than the natural method. So, the purpose of the hen, in the parlance big poultry industries, is just to lay eggs. This makes their broodiness irrelevant because the hen is being replaced by technology.
It is undeniable that nowadays, chickens are utilized for egg production rather than multiplying the flock. Incubators, as mentioned, are used to substitute chicken of their role for providing warmth for the eggs. Here are the different techniques you can use to invite hens to sit on eggs.
Effective Ways To Get Hen Sit On The Eggs Longer
1) Only Choose Chicken Species That Are Broody To Raise
Choose to raise broody breeds such as Brahmas, Australorps, Buffs, Cochins as well as the bantam breeds (such as bantam Cochins, Orpingtons, Silkies).
There are naturally broody breeds of chicken, but this does not imply that they do not need a break from sitting on eggs for a long time.
2) Try Using an Artificial EggÂ
If you are really into encouraging your chicken to lay eggs and be broody, try putting artificial eggs on its nest to invite them to sit on it. Materials such as the ball of golf or eggs used during Easter can do.
This method is considered as one effective way to encourage the chicken to sit on the eggs. It has a psychological impact on their part because they will regard the dummy egg as a real one. You may use an artificial egg available at farm stores.
After successfully inviting the chicken, you may then replace the dummy ones with real eggs. This is best done during night time when chickens are passive and are not into rejecting the eggs.
3) Use A Separate Feeder and Water Supply Close to the Nest
It is ideal to provide a separate space for the chicken to access water and food near the nest to avoid the hen from staying distantly from her eggs. Make sure that water should be fresh and clean. In this stage, the hen does not need a layers mash as her food. Take note that layers mash contains high calcium necessary during the production of the egg, but this is the point when chickens do not lay eggs. You may give a chicken mash to be fed on the newly born chicks instead.
Ideally, hens are placed on a nest away from predators. You have to make sure that it is not disturbed by external factors by providing a nesting area way from its neighboring birds.
4) Motivate Hen To Collect a Grasp of eggs
Encourage the hen to collect a grasp of eggs. A more common method is that you allow your hen to lay several eggs without being interfered with. Once the chicken has produced few eggs, her broody trait begins.
Naturally, female birds choose the nesting area and lay a grasp of eggs; eggs usually range from 8-13. Once she earns several eggs, she does the act of sitting on eggs and will only leave when it’s time to eat and drink.
5) Change The Nest Setting
The silent atmosphere of the nesting area has a huge impact on activating the broody character of your chicken. The calm atmosphere allows the hen to concentrate on her role as a mother, and it becomes more focused on taking care of the eggs.
Moreover, another delicate way to make your chicken broody is when placed in a darker area. When the chicken is not disturbed, it doesn’t need to be aggressive all the time and spend every moment protecting its chicks from predators.
It takes two-ingredient for a chicken to be broody; one is that it must place in a quiet atmosphere; the second is it must be placed in a dark room away from predators. Keep these methods if you want to succeed in activating the broodiness of your hen.
6) Prepare A Nesting Box
Highlight the privacy of the chicken by setting up the nesting area in a safe and peaceful atmosphere. Be sure the area is clean and dry. You can buy from the market or do it yourself out of wood. One box is needed for several two to four hens. The ideal size for this box is twelve cubic inches (12″ x 12″ x 12″). You may add straw or even sawdust to make a comforter for the chicken.
7) Never Disturb The Hen
You won’t like your chicken to get rid of her eggs just because it is disturbed, right? So if possible, always have extra care when you are to approach the hen during its broody period because the moment it is disturbed repeatedly, it will no longer finish the supposed time allotted for taking care of her eggs. For example, if you want to change the bedding, do it when it is away. You have to be patient during this time because, in the end, you reap what you sow.
The chicken does need your solid support system in this period because it has programmed its mind to be caretakers of her eggs and chicks.
Giving your chickens the peace of mind they deserve is your entry to earn a healthy flock. You can provide them a nesting area suitable for their needs such as Cluck House or the Taj Mahal, which are a suitable size for a chicken to start her family,
Additional Tips
- Look after the cleanliness of your hen’s nesting area by checking the presence of insects and mic. Your chicken will not focus on her job if she is put in a filthy atmosphere. Look into the box and be sure it is free from mites, insects, and other interlopers.
- It is also ideal for putting some scent to your nesting areas such as lavender or chamomile to highlight the comfort of the hen. Make it sure also that you are providing materials that are enough to support the eggs so that it will not break your
- The presence of a rooster will magnify the broody behavior of your hen. Rooster is the best source if you want to have fertilized and broody hens.
Conclusion
It takes a lot of patience to raise a flock. So, in this time where they have to lay eggs, and you target activating their broodiness, you have to provide the fresh and right food for the hen. Take note also that hens, during their broody period, will occasionally detach themselves from the eggs.
You have 21 days to wait before seeing the fruit of your hen’s labor.
Hence, your hen owes you the biggest support she needs. Be the best caretaker you can be, so that success is just on the tip of your hen’s feather.
