Broody question

[Wezdin]

I have a BO hen that has gone broody. Normally this would be a good thing because I want her to raise chicks, but it is wintertime and I don't want chicks this time of year. I am awawre that you can break a broody multiple times and she will still be broody. My question is can I break my broody and expect her to go broody again? or is it a rare occurence that they will go broody again.
Thanks in advance.

 

[red horse ranch]

The BO hens that I have had over the years will go broody at least once every year. With young ones it often happens at the worst time of the year. Australorps are the same way, sometimes being broody more than once a year. It just depends on the individual hen.

 

[AlleysChicks]

It’s hormone related. So even if you break her this time, she may go broody again in the spring or summer.

 

[Wezdin]

Thanks! The hen is 9mo so im hoping she will go broody at a more convenient time.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

FWIW, a good broody will have no issue raising chicks in winter....this puc was taken in November...it snowed later that week which actually warmed thing up a bit.....mama knows what she's doing

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I've had a couple broody hens in November. The temps weren't that bad by hatch in December but a couple days after hatch, it dropped into the low teens. I hung a heat lamp over the water and food station. She kept them warm and cozy in the nest but I wanted them to be able to eat and drink in comfort. They still ran around in the cold stopping back under mom for an occasional warming.

 

[Ridgerunner]

This thread might be of interest to you. Aart's conclusion was yes it can be done but would not do it again.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/947046/broody-in-michigan-winter

Go ahead and break her if that is your desire. It will not prevent her from becoming broody again. There is no way to control whether that will be at a convenient time or not though. That's why I got an incubator, so I could control timing. Chickens are so darn unreliable about things like that.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

X2
I would definitely break a broody beginning to set this soon after winter solstice. January/February weather is too unpredictable.

 

[aart]

Thanks! The hen is 9mo so im hoping she will go broody at a more convenient time.

Be careful what you wish for had broody pullet in fall of 2017.....she ended up being a persistent broody, even after hatching in March...finally gave her away.

 

[AlleysChicks]

Be careful what you wish for had broody pullet in fall of 2017.....she ended up being a persistent broody, even after hatching in March...finally gave her away.

I have a EE like that! She’s been broody 4 times and will be 2 in the spring. She’s laid 2-3 eggs this year.