Australorp behavior -- Is she going to be broody or is this just the way Australorps are?

[lizo97]

I have Easter Eggers, Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, a Barnevelder, a Lavender Orpington, and Blue and Black Australorps. I have 2 Black Australorps that have plucked their chest and stay in the nest box for 4 hours, rarely much longer. They scream and puff up when disturbed. Both still roost at night with the others. What is this? Semi-broody behavior? Will they become broody? All my other chickens just lay their egg and get out of the nest boxes, but these sometimes nap in the boxes. I just want to know what to expect, so I can buy some fertilized eggs!!! I also just wonder if this is just the way Australorps are. TIA!

 

[sourland]

It sounds as if they may be pre broody.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

It sounds as if they may be pre broody.

x2

 

[MysteryChicken]

Yep, sounds broody. I've had my share of broody Australorps.

 

[lizo97]

So, basically, she may or may not become 100% broody?? How do people deal with flocks of pre-broody Australorps? Must be a lot of screaming and puffing up.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

Yeah, I would not want to be the poor roo that is surrounded with all that estrogen, ouch!

 

[Sally PB]

I really want one of my Black Aussies to go broody when TSC has Blue Aussies during chick days. Then she can do the work and I won't have chick dust all over the house!

 

[ShrekDawg]

So, basically, she may or may not become 100% broody?? How do people deal with flocks of pre-broody Australorps? Must be a lot of screaming and puffing up.

She’s currently thinking about it but not sure she wants to quite yet. You could try putting a some fake eggs in a box and seeing if she decides to sit on them for real. It might trigger her to start getting serious or might not but would be a good test.

Or if you don’t want her to be broody then you will have to break her. Put her in a wire bottomed cage for a few days. There can’t be a bottom or bedding because the air flow underneath them is important so they can’t get the “eggs” warm.

Some birds are more stubborn than others so she may need more time in the cage or may be fine with less time. Since she is currently only “pre broody” it would be a good time to break her. Unless you want her to set in which case, wait a week or two before getting real eggs to make sure she is serious.

 

[lizo97]

She has been pre-broody for over a month! Maybe I need to hang pictures of chicks? I want to put all these different kinds of fertilized eggs under her!!!

 

[Jp617]

heres a true test, take one an place her alone with a completely new nest box. if shes in there and still pulling feathers acting like shes 5ft tall.. it wont be long before shes in there more then 4 hrs