Can a hen go broody when there is no rooster?

[pacetruckguy]

I have this easter egger that is staying in the nest box all the time, but not laying that much. She's sitting on the other girls eggs. I don't have a rooster. Could she still be going broody?

 

[Katy]

Yes, she can be broody....has nothing to do with a roo....it's her hormones that cause her to be broody.

 

[jprice2ndlt]

sounds like it to me

 

[pacetruckguy]

Cool, Maybe I should get a rooster , or barrow one.

 

[feathersnuggles]

Quote:
Or, better yet, if you don't want to stress her out right now (nevermind the risk of exposing her and your flock to any diseases a new bird might bring)... get some already-fertile eggs and put them under her, for her to hatch. You can usually find someone on BYC or on Craigslist with fertile eggs to sell.

 

[pacetruckguy]

Quote:
Or, better yet, if you don't want to stress her out right now (nevermind the risk of exposing her and your flock to any diseases a new bird might bring)... get some already-fertile eggs and put them under her, for her to hatch. You can usually find someone on BYC or on Craigslist with fertile eggs to sell.

Very good suggestion, and a lot less hassle. I think for now I'll just keep an eye on her. Maybe she's just takeing her own sweet time to lay. It just seems she is spending a long time in the nest box. Thanks for the suggestion.