A hen doesn't go broody

[Johnchickens2]

Hi!
I have three hens - they are sisters. Same age, hatched together and were raised by the same mother (her eggs).
They are a bit more than 2 years old. Two of them have gone broody and hatched chicks, twich already (each summer since they were born). But the third one - named Emma - hasn't gone broody so far. She just lays her egg in the nest, stays a little and leave. No signs of broody at all. Why might it be? I really want her to hatch her own chicks, but it seems that she doesnt... What could be done? She has her own nest box with her eggs, no one disturbs her. She gets good food. I don't see a reason why her sister go broody every year and she doesnt.... Thanks for your help

 

[Jaeden Mckinley]

Hi!
I have three hens - they are sisters. Same age, hatched together and were raised by the same mother (her eggs).
They are a bit more than 2 years old. Two of them have gone broody and hatched chicks, twich already (each summer since they were born). But the third one - named Emma - hasn't gone broody so far. She just lays her egg in the nest, stays a little and leave. No signs of broody at all. Why might it be? I really want her to hatch her own chicks, but it seems that she doesnt... What could be done? She has her own nest box with her eggs, no one disturbs her. She gets good food. I don't see a reason why her sister go broody every year and she doesnt.... Thanks for your help

Be sure there's ample feed and water close by to your nests. A hen will be more apt to go broody and sit on the nest more of the day if she doesn't have travel far to eat and drink.


*here is a link to see what you could do to help/encourage her*
Fresh eggs daily

 

[SilverBirds]

What breed is she? The broody instinct has been breed out of a lot of breeds. Some hens simply don't go broody at all. And that's ok.

 

[Mrs. K]

Not all animals are good mothers. We are cattle ranchers and have been for 45 years. And it always amazes me how different each cow is as a mother. Some you think will lick the calf hairless, other give a lick and a promise, hit the gate and seem to say, 'keep up with me or else'. Some will try and kill you if you touch their calf, other it is no problem.

Chickens are the same way. Some make fantastic mothers, some never look back (unfortuanately so are some human mothers). I think that you should just let her be. If you like broody hens, do not set any of her eggs under the other broody hens.

Mrs K