Broody

[GMoose]

Is it normal For a hen to go broody this time of year?

 

[sourland]

Yes it is, and good mothers can raise chicks at any time of year if provided a dry, draft free environment.

 

[Chicks in VA]

Is it normal For a hen to go broody this time of year?

yes! mine do this al the time this is the first time i have not had one go broody around this time of year in a while i have had some try to brood late sep-early nov

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't know that "normal" is the term I'd use for my flock but it certainly is not unusual.

You might find this thread interesting where one of our respected members let a broody hatch in January in Michigan.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/broody-in-michigan-winter.947046/

What are your plans for her if she is broody? There are a few things I'd do differently if I expected it to be really cold while the chicks were young, some of that depending on your set-up. It is more risky for a hen to hatch and raise chicks in cold weather but many manage it OK.

 

[3KillerBs]

I've got 3 broodies hogging my nest boxes right now.

Though where I am this is the first time since May that it's been below 90F for high temperatures for an entire week.

 

[GMoose]

The eggs aren’t fertilized

 

[aart]

The eggs aren’t fertilized

Unless you can get some fertilized eggs and you have space to house a broody and the offspring and you have a plan for the ~50% males....
best to break her broodiness, IMO.

My experience goes about like this: After her setting for 3 days and nights in the nest (or as soon as I know they are broody), I put her in a wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller wire(1x2) on the bottom but no bedding, set up on a couple of 4x4's right in the coop or run with feed and water.

After 48 hours I let her out of crate very near roosting time(30-60 mins) if she goes to roost great, if she goes to nest put her back in crate for another 48 hours.

Tho not necessary a chunk of 2x4 for a 'roost' was added to crate floor, gives the feet a break from the wire floor and encourages roosting.