Broody?

[justaboy]

My sapphire gem is sitting on 6 or so eggs right now, she’s getting up when I get close but she pulls the eggs under her. Could she be going broody?

 

[Beau plus penny]

how old is she also idk why but sometimes laying hens will do that its a mystery to me

 

[thecatumbrella]

Broodies will stay on the nest almost constantly, only leaving 1-2 times a day to eat/drink/poop. Another telltale sign is they'll scream at you when you reach for them.

Most of my chickens will tuck eggs under them while they're laying, but always vacate the nest within 20 minutes or so once they're done.

 

[justaboy]

how old is she also idk why but sometimes laying hens will do that its a mystery to me

2 1/2 years old today actually!

 

[justaboy]

What about taking molt feathers and throwing them around herself?

 

[Beau plus penny]

Broodies will stay on the nest almost constantly, only leaving 1-2 times a day to eat/drink/poop. Another telltale sign is they'll scream at you when you reach for them.

Most of my chickens will tuck eggs under them while they're laying, but always vacate the nest within 20 minutes or so once they're done.

yea mine even growl. oscar winning actress i tell you

 

[thecatumbrella]

What about taking molt feathers and throwing them around herself?

Normal. Not a broody thing, per say.

 

[justaboy]

Normal. Not a broody thing, per se.

Ok, I’m gonna go to therapy, (because apparently chickens don’t cure mental illness or whatever), but I’m gonna check on her later today!

 

[thecatumbrella]

apparently chickens don’t cure mental illness or whatever

Sometimes they help. Sometimes they contribute to the problem. Take care of yourself!

 

[Ridgerunner]

My test if a hen is truly broody and deserves eggs to hatch is that she has to spend two consecutive nights on the nest instead of sleeping in her normal spot. One night is not enough, for me it has to be two consecutive nights.

There are a lot of signs that a hen might or might not be broody. So if you see any of them that means she might or might not be broody enough for eggs. The two consecutive nights test has not failed me yet, some day it might. But all of the other tests have failed me so I don't trust them.