Broodiness

[Chicks and Hens]

Can you HELP a hen go broody? I don't have a rooster and my hens.... well I am not sure if they have gone broody... I think my RIR has because she squaks and pecks at me when I try to collect her eggs. I want to put some fertilized eggs under her and not sure if she will hatch them... ANY HELP??

 

[Judy]

Probably the first test is, the will stay on the nest all day and night (with one short break) for a couple of days, rather than roosts at night. If you lift her out of the nest and set her down. she will usually "flatten out" as if setting. Here is just one article:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/broody-hens

 

[Happy Chooks]

Probably the first test is, the will stay on the nest all day and night (with one short break) for a couple of days, rather than roosts at night. If you lift her out of the nest and set her down. she will usually "flatten out" as if setting. Here is just one article:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/broody-hens

Yep. And some hens don't like to be disturbed on the nest. I have several that will peck at me if I bother them while they are in the nest, but they are not broody.

 

[Chicks and Hens]

She doesn't stay there...