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Amanda Foster — Reviewed writer, former magazine editor
Approved Guide

How to Handle Get Your Hen to Become Broody Step by Step

When get your hen to become broody leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

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Part 1

Stimulating her with Eggs

1

Replace dummy eggs with real eggs.

Replace dummy eggs with real eggs.
If you have encouraged broody behavior in your hen and she has begun sitting successfully on dummy eggs (wooden eggs, golf balls, or any other dummy eggs) you can swap these dummies for real eggs. This is most easily done at night when the hen is docile and less likely to reject the eggs.
  • If you have encouraged broody behavior in your hen and she has begun sitting successfully on dummy eggs (wooden eggs, golf balls, or any other dummy eggs) you can swap these dummies for real eggs.
  • This is most easily done at night when the hen is docile and less likely to reject the eggs.
  • If you have encouraged broody behavior in your hen and she has begun sitting successfully on dummy eggs (wooden eggs, golf balls, or any other dummy eggs) you can swap these dummies for real eggs.
  • This is most easily done at night when the hen is docile and less likely to reject the eggs.
  • If you have encouraged broody behavior in your hen and she has begun sitting successfully on dummy eggs (wooden eggs, golf balls, or any other dummy eggs) you can swap these dummies for real eggs.
Part 2

Providing the Right Circumstances

1

Set up a nesting box

Set up a nesting box
. Your hen needs somewhere safe and comfortable to both lay and sit on the eggs. Create a dry, clean, relatively dark place where your hen can have some privacy. You can purchase these, or construct them yourself out of wood.
  • Your hen needs somewhere safe and comfortable to both lay and sit on the eggs.
  • Create a dry, clean, relatively dark place where your hen can have some privacy.
  • You can purchase these, or construct them yourself out of wood.
  • Your hen needs somewhere safe and comfortable to both lay and sit on the eggs.
  • Create a dry, clean, relatively dark place where your hen can have some privacy.

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