What to fill plastic egg with to fool hens into broodiness?

[freemotion]

I remember reading something somewhere on this forum....someone filled the plastic Easter eggs with something to weight them and glued them together, maybe? I remember thinking it was a great idea, but I can't find it and can't remember what it was! I used sand one time and it was too heavy and they broke open.

What type of glue would you use, too? That wouldn't stink too bad and put the hens off?

I have FOUR turkey eggs suddenly and I really want to induce broodiness. I don't have enough eggs to leave some in the nest boxes, it will have to be fake ones. I picked up a dozen colorful ones and can't think right now, so.....opinions, ideas, suggestions?

 

[patandchickens]

I am not sure it really works that way... AFAIK either they are broody or they're not...

BUT, that said, I just tape the two halves together empty to make a nest egg; or you could put just about ANYthing inside if you find the empty ones getting kicked out too much. Sand, oystershell, dirt, whatever is handy and of some weight.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[freemotion]

Often if a hen is inclined to go broody, she has a certain number of eggs that will trigger her to sit. Last couple of years I'd not pick up the eggs first thing but rather put them all into one nest box and see what happened. I also had some golf balls and stone eggs that I can't find now, and those worked great if I piled a bunch of them into one nest. So I'm hoping the plastic eggs will work. I started with them a few years ago but the hens would break them in half somehow, spilling out the sand I'd weighted them with.

 

[big brown horse]

I use plain old cheap store bought white eggs. The plastic easter eggs didn't work for me, my hens pushed the plastic ones around so much they always popped open. (I filled them with a small stone, and taped them shut.)

DrakeMaiden just informed me that Joann's has wooden eggs on sale now, and I'm going to get some so I won't have to use store bought anymore.

eta: I used white eggs so I could collect the fresh eggs MY chickens laid.

 

[TanksHill]

BBH thats a great idea.

 

[big brown horse]

Thanks.

I have a broody Buff O sitting on just one egg. She beat me to the punch. Drake and I are going to put some Rouen duck eggs under her tomorrow night.

\m/

 

[freemotion]

BRILLIANT!!!!!! Thanks!

 

[Denim Deb]

Often if a hen is inclined to go broody, she has a certain number of eggs that will trigger her to sit. Last couple of years I'd not pick up the eggs first thing but rather put them all into one nest box and see what happened. I also had some golf balls and stone eggs that I can't find now, and those worked great if I piled a bunch of them into one nest. So I'm hoping the plastic eggs will work. I started with them a few years ago but the hens would break them in half somehow, spilling out the sand I'd weighted them with.

Maybe that's why neither of the 2 hens I'm trying to get broody will sit. I have a dozen plastic eggs, so maybe if I tape them shut, it will help.

 

[Wannabefree]

Couldn't you just blow some eggs and fill them with plaster of paris and let them dry? I would think the plasticky smell of the plastic eggs would put them off...it does me

 

[Bubblingbrooks]

Personally, I would either buy the wooden eggs, or, get a dozen from the store.