Is my chicken broody?

[Person1234]

I have a chicken that just recently started laying on three eggs. I've read that a broody hen will pluck her underside feathers off to expose her skin but I've checked and she hasn't done that. I've checked the eggs and they seem to be developing already, is she broody or not.

 

[gamebirdsonly]

Kinda sounds like it.

 

[Person1234]

So are all broody hens suppose to pluck out their underside feathers or only some?

 

[eviemethugh]

So are all broody hens suppose to pluck out their underside feathers or only some?

They pluck their feathers to control the humidity. If she thinks the humidity is fine she won't do it. Probably closer to hatch day she will pluck. Some hens never do and some go completely bald.

 

[Person1234]

Ok thank you that's what I needed to hear

 

[Person1234]

One more thing, do they turn the eggs frequently by themselves or do I need to do that

 

[eviemethugh]

She will do it. It's pretty cute if you get to see it. Mine aren't allowed to sit on eggs anymore because they steal them from each other. And from the nesting boxes. Even marked it got confusing which ones were being incubated and which weren't supposed to be.

 

[Person1234]

Ok thank you for the info