Broody hen

[ih66series]

When a hen goes broody, how long will she stay that way? Can I order eggs online while she is broody and expect her to sit on them?

 

[ClareScifi]

Someone told me her hen was broody for 7 weeks! The average, on fertilized eggs is 21 days, I have heard, but if the eggs are unfertilized they can die sitting on them, waiting for them to hatch, which isn't going to happen. Starvation, dehydration, constipation, and/or rooster mites can kill them. I have all these things to worry about right now, because my hen is under the house where I can't get her, gone broody on unfertilized eggs.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I wouldn't order any eggs until she's been on the nest 2 nights. By the 2nd night, you know she's serious about brooding. And yes, she will sit on the eggs until something hatches - chickens can't tell time.

 

[ih66series]

What is the chance of a hatchery Silver Laced Wyandotte going broody?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Wyandotte's are a broody breed, so there's a possibility.

 

[ih66series]

I heard hatcheries breed broodiness out of them. That's why I was asking.