I've found that each broody hen is different.
Bantam Orp- frequent broody - keeps her chicks very close, has great control, & protective. But only accepts chicks she thinks she hatched. If I try to add a chick at 3 days old, she'd attack it as an intruder. All 6 times she went broody, she hatched exactly 7 LF eggs. (Even when I gave her 6, she stole & hatched an extra egg. Add 8 eggs & still only 7 hatch.) Of course she can't count, so she was great when 2 dozen chicks needed a mama.
Sebright- frequent broody- Can't read, so she doesn't know Sebrights don't go broody. Loves to play Mommy & goes exploring. Allows her chick lots of freedom & even takes them under/over the fence to visit the neighbors. Will accept chicks at any age & at any time while broody. Will try to adopt/steal chicks. Doesn't like to let go, so she cares for them until they're 7 weeks & 3xs her size. LOL She was hatched by Cookie'.
Princess- once a year broody - like Cookie, adopted chicks can only be added shortly after hatch. Perfect broody because she's a LF & top of pecking order. Her chicks will make any hen run when the littles approach the feeder (because they know Mama's not far behind.) LOL The entire flock helps care & protect any of her entitled chicks.
Oopsie- It's her 1st time, but she adopted about 30 chicks of all ages. Anything that peeps & needs warmth is invited. - even quail! She was hatched by Princesses.
Now what I haven't been able to figure out is how to make them go broody when I want! Because I have many possible broodies now, I really don't want more. Sooooo What does my sweet DD do? Yep, she hatched & fell in love with a silkie.
Bantam Orp- frequent broody - keeps her chicks very close, has great control, & protective. But only accepts chicks she thinks she hatched. If I try to add a chick at 3 days old, she'd attack it as an intruder. All 6 times she went broody, she hatched exactly 7 LF eggs. (Even when I gave her 6, she stole & hatched an extra egg. Add 8 eggs & still only 7 hatch.) Of course she can't count, so she was great when 2 dozen chicks needed a mama.
Sebright- frequent broody- Can't read, so she doesn't know Sebrights don't go broody. Loves to play Mommy & goes exploring. Allows her chick lots of freedom & even takes them under/over the fence to visit the neighbors. Will accept chicks at any age & at any time while broody. Will try to adopt/steal chicks. Doesn't like to let go, so she cares for them until they're 7 weeks & 3xs her size. LOL She was hatched by Cookie'.
Princess- once a year broody - like Cookie, adopted chicks can only be added shortly after hatch. Perfect broody because she's a LF & top of pecking order. Her chicks will make any hen run when the littles approach the feeder (because they know Mama's not far behind.) LOL The entire flock helps care & protect any of her entitled chicks.
Oopsie- It's her 1st time, but she adopted about 30 chicks of all ages. Anything that peeps & needs warmth is invited. - even quail! She was hatched by Princesses.
Now what I haven't been able to figure out is how to make them go broody when I want! Because I have many possible broodies now, I really don't want more. Sooooo What does my sweet DD do? Yep, she hatched & fell in love with a silkie.
