Broody Hen Thread!

[Mehroz Adnan]

In Springs,which temperature triggers hens hormones to go broody?

 

[EnnisLakeFarm]

Hoping my main girl goes broody soon.

 

[fisherlady]

In Springs,which temperature triggers hens hormones to go broody?

I have never noticed that any particular temperature causes it.... I have hens who go broody when it is 10 degrees F and hens who don't brood till it is 75F. Their hormones are on a schedule all their own and although it seems bringing their body temp down through cool baths or elevated cages can help break the hormonal cycle I do not know of any temperature/climate regulation which can cause them to start brooding.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I have never noticed that any particular temperature causes it.... I have hens who go broody when it is 10 degrees F and hens who don't brood till it is 75F. Their hormones are on a schedule all their own and although it seems bringing their body temp down through cool baths or elevated cages can help break the hormonal cycle I do not know of any temperature/climate regulation which can cause them to start brooding.

x2 on this.

I've had hens go broody in the dead of winter, in the fall, in the spring and in the summer...so basically any time of the year. And one hen has done all 4!

It really depends on the hen and her hormone levels, and genetics play the biggest part in that...and those have been manipulated for centuries with domestication and industrialization....which I think is why we have the oddities we see today of such variableness.

Then environmental factors can come into play such as how many eggs she is sitting on, and how conducive the environment is for brooding if she is predisposed to do so. If she is in a hormonal pre-stage, a certain number of eggs begins putting pressure against a spot in her breast that produces more hormones to trigger a deeper brood. A dim, cozy, secure nest also helps to secure the brood. Her body temperature rises, and she often plucks her breast to make heat transfer easier to the eggs all playing into a full brood.

Length of daylight does play into some breeds responses, so you may see a "high season" in April through June.

What I've picked up along the way.

LofMc

 

[LogCabinChicks]

First thing---some hens do not like to be moved---got a question---why did you go and get her after dark?

If you are going to bring her into a lighted basement---you said she eat and drank---so she had to be in light---as soon as she got through eating---she is going to hunt her original nest---which she can not find so she just lays there.

When I move a broody(moved Many---33 this season) """"I""" never pick her up off her eggs/nest---I move nest and all after dark with no flash light to a unlighted area---if I can not see where I am going I flash the light on and off for a split second to get my bearings. Even If its a dim lighted area or a bright moon---your chances will go way down on her staying put. If she is not in a nest that can be moved I would fix her a nest---in the nesting box that can be moved or a nest in front of it and let her get use to that nest for a day or two before I move her. I always put her feed and water in the new nesting area before I move her that night. I put the food and water where she can see it day break but not where she can eat while in the nest.

Here is my thoughts-----you move her quietly to a prepped place after dark---in the dark---no lights---then you leave quietly using no light---when it starts breaking day---she has been in this place several hours----she has her nest/eggs---she knows she is in a different place, but it looks good because as it gets lighter she can see food----she sits there thinking I like this place----no one is bothering me or eating all the food----let me get out of here and stretch my legs, get some food and water---take care of business---dust---go back and settle down in her nest---she is Happy----LOL.

You can try putting her back in her original spot and see if she continues setting. Good Luck!!

Well, I admit, I'm a noobie. LOL everything I read --introducing new chickens, putting sick chickens that have been in the house/garage getting better back with the flock, etc etc is to do it at night. I couldn't move her nest because it was screwed in...but I like your idea of putting another nest inside the nesting box-- they are just dishpans, and right now I'm doing the V8 thing. DUH!! Great idea for NEXT time. Actually I may just pick some up and put them in there so they are set...just in case.

She is sitting just fine now, the right nest box is with her. It took her about 3 hours after I swapped out the basket for the dishpan. I do believe you're absolutely correct. She did eat and drink in the lighted basement...then looked at the nest and went back to eating and drinking, thats when I went upstairs and shut off her lights. Poor thing I feel bad now. Lesson learned.

thank you for all your help and advice. It is truly appreciated. Now...we wait for the mail carrier.

 

[animalza2k]

Hey sorry guys noob here. Will hens go broody after they stop laying.

 

[fisherlady]

Hey sorry guys noob here. Will hens go broody after they stop laying.

If you are referring to aging hens who quit laying eggs because of advanced years then it is doubtful beyond the 3 year mark or so that they will suddenly decide to raise chicks. Some breeds do begin brooding at a later age (usually mentioned as 2 or 3 years old from my reading) while others begin brooding as young as 6 months. If you have a hen who suddenly quit laying and now is parked on a nest then chances are she quit laying because she was becoming broody.
Hopefully some folks with older birds can comment also, just because I have not had a hen decide to be broody after her 3rd birthday certainly doesn't mean it is impossible....

 

[Kendrain]

I want one of my hens to go broody. I hope it happens soon.

 

[animalza2k]

Thanks fisherlaby. Yes i was meaning because of advanced years, I bought a few bantam hens today and the person said she didn't know the ages but all hatched chicks last year.

 

[fisherlady]

Thanks fisherlaby. Yes i was meaning because of advanced years, I bought a few bantam hens today and the person said she didn't know the ages but all hatched chicks last year.

If a hen was a broody during her younger/laying years then she may very likely continue to get the urge to brood even at an older age when she is rarely laying.