Broody hen? What actually counts as being broody?

[redoak]

One of my hens lays an egg, then proceeds to sit on it for a couple hours. Then she usually goes and takes a dust bath. At about this time I usually collect eggs along with hers. Would she be considered broody or just likes to sit on her egg?

 

[Chirpy]

A real broody hen will sit on nothing but air and not move. Yours just sounds like she's relaxing before getting back to her day.

If she goes broody for real she won't leave the nest for more than about a 1/2 hour once a day (if that) and she will puff up and 'growl' at you when you get near her. She will continue this behavior for days and weeks.