Broody hen after flock death

[Mountain_Miss]

Will/can hens become broody after a flock death? I lost one of my Barred Rocks to a fox attack last week, unwitnessed by me, but I'm sure it was pretty traumatic for the rest of the hens (they're all about a year old, all laying).. no rooster in the flock. Ever since that evening, another one of my BR seems to have gone totally broody all of a sudden.

Does this happen a lot? Is she grieving? I'm going to have to start breaking her broodiness, just wanting to hear others opinions if this is a 'thing'?

 

[Sagey_7878]

Will/can hens become broody after a flock death? I lost one of my Barred Rocks to a fox attack last week, unwitnessed by me, but I'm sure it was pretty traumatic for the rest of the hens (they're all about a year old, all laying).. no rooster in the flock. Ever since that evening, another one of my BR seems to have gone totally broody all of a sudden.

Does this happen a lot? Is she grieving? I'm going to have to start breaking her broodiness, just wanting to hear others opinions if this is a 'thing'?

Hey there! Her being broody is totally unrelated to the death in the flock and is just a coincidence. She has just felt the urge to hatch chicks. She’s not grieving and she simply wants to hatch her own chicks hahahah. Good luck trying to break her, or you can let her hatch of course!

 

[aart]

Will/can hens become broody after a flock death? I lost one of my Barred Rocks to a fox attack last week, unwitnessed by me, but I'm sure it was pretty traumatic for the rest of the hens (they're all about a year old, all laying).. no rooster in the flock. Ever since that evening, another one of my BR seems to have gone totally broody all of a sudden.

Does this happen a lot? Is she grieving? I'm going to have to start breaking her broodiness, just wanting to hear others opinions if this is a 'thing'?

Ehhh...likely a coincidence.
When a flock member leaves, there can be a change in pecking order.
So who knows<shrugs> have never heard of it happening tho.
Are you positive she's broody, or may she have been injured too?
How do you know it was a fox?
Where(in coop/run or out ranging) and what time did it happen?

 

[CrazyChickenLady8679]

Will/can hens become broody after a flock death? I lost one of my Barred Rocks to a fox attack last week, unwitnessed by me, but I'm sure it was pretty traumatic for the rest of the hens (they're all about a year old, all laying).. no rooster in the flock. Ever since that evening, another one of my BR seems to have gone totally broody all of a sudden.

Does this happen a lot? Is she grieving? I'm going to have to start breaking her broodiness, just wanting to hear others opinions if this is a 'thing'?

I was just about to ask the same question! My girls suffered a horrific loss and witnessed it. I had 37 birds and a husky came on my property and killed 25! One of which was the roo she loved and followed everywhere! She is a year old and never shown any sign of broodiness! The day after that happened, she has been on those eggs and absolutely refuses to leave! So, I completely feel the same suspicion as you!!! It's just too odd!

 

[CrazyChickenLady8679]

Will/can hens become broody after a flock death? I lost one of my Barred Rocks to a fox attack last week, unwitnessed by me, but I'm sure it was pretty traumatic for the rest of the hens (they're all about a year old, all laying).. no rooster in the flock. Ever since that evening, another one of my BR seems to have gone totally broody all of a sudden.

Does this happen a lot? Is she grieving? I'm going to have to start breaking her broodiness, just wanting to hear others opinions if this is a 'thing'?

I was just about to ask the same question! My girls suffered a horrific loss and witnessed it. I had 37 birds and a husky came on my property and killed 25! One of which was the roo she loved and followed everywhere! She is a year old and never shown any sign of broodiness! The day after that happened, she has been on those eggs and absolutely refuses to leave! So, I completely feel the same suspicion as you!!! It's just too odd!

 

[Hobbyfarmer91]

I just lost half of my flock a few weeks ago. The day after it happened a hen went broody. It’s the middle of November mind you, and I’ve never had one go broody in late fall before. She just hatched a chick the other day and it’s 32 degrees right now. Definitely not a coincidence