2 part ? (eggs and broody)

[superflyer]

1
how many eggs do a hen lay in one couple cycle before it starts over because i heard they have to lay all there eggs first and then maybe become broody

2
when do you know when enough is enough for eggs in the nest box for a hen at may become broody
i dont want them to think the nest is not safe

 

[Judy]

What is a complete cycle ? They don't really have cycles. They go broody when their hormone levels change and make them broody. They will set when they have no eggs at all; it really has little to do with eggs.

Don't leave eggs in the nest to try to make them go broody. You will just get bad or broken eggs. Wait tilone goes broody, then put eggs under her. You can save fertile eggs for about a week on your kitchen counter, after one is broody, then put them under her all at once.

 

[Judy]

Sometimes a good broody will lay a clutch of eggs then start setting and stop laying. Usually she will do this in hiding, though, and you won't see her til she retuens home from the woods with chicks. They do all sorts of thigs wrong, though, like trying to set on about 25 eggs, which is way too many to cover. At any rate, they will go broody whether allowed to collect eggs or not, and it is highly unlikely that a few eggs underneath her will make a hen go broody. She is more likely to knock them aorund and break them, or even kick them out of her nest. Better to be sure she is broody then give her eggs, so they will all hatch at once. more or less.

 

[superflyer]

ok thank you