At what age do Hens start to go broody?

[feathersnuggles]

I just got through breaking a 10-month-old broody Blue Wyandotte. She had only begun laying (she was a late bloomer) and laid eggs for a little over a month, then she went VERY broody and pancaked-down on a single golf ball in the nest box. She had all the characteristics: mean & aggressive with the rest of the flock... HUGE horrid-smelling turds... bare skinned on her chest and belly where feathers used to be... screeching at everyone... etc.

To answer your question, you can't make them broody. They will be broody if & when nature Tells them to and you'll Know it when it happens. Heavy pouffy birds, like my Wyandotte, are more susceptible to broodiness, and they make darn good mama-hens with all that insulation.

 

[stone_family3]

Which breeds are more likely to go broody? I want to hatch a few next spring (if my hens are willing).

 

[chicken grandma]

My Belgium D'uccle hen is 2 years old and has been very broody since turning 2 years.

 

[jaj121159]

I had a pullet go broody at eleven months. Her behavior has been contagious. I now have two Welsummer hens that are sitting on a clutch and an Orloff right next to the latest Welsummer. The Orloff, one Welsummer and the RIR should be hatching their clutches this week since there is a high probability that the eggs are fertile. It has been interesting to watch them. They are all getting pecked at by the other hens (no other place to put them at this point). Sometimes they trade places, but mostly are sitting in their original nesting boxes or (the Orloff & 2nd Welsummer) their place in the corner of the coop. I have only 13 hens and now 4 of them are out of commission so to speak. Did get 7 eggs today however. All the birds are now 13 months old and all hatchery stock, so much for that theory.