Can A Older Hen Get Broody?

[josie705]

Can older hens that have stopped laying eggs still become broody? Just wondering if their stop in egg production means that they also stop getting broody.

 

[junebuggena]

Unless there is something physically wrong with their reproductive system, a hen will lay throughout her entire lifetime. Granted, production does slow down dramatically as they age, but even at 10 years old, hens can squeeze out an egg a week. As long as a hen is healthy, and still ovulating, the hormones could still be triggered for brooding.
Do not mistake the normal winter break for a permanent stop of eggs.

 

[josie705]

Unless there is something physically wrong with their reproductive system, a hen will lay throughout her entire lifetime. Granted, production does slow down dramatically as they age, but even at 10 years old, hens can squeeze out an egg a week. As long as a hen is healthy, and still ovulating, the hormones could still be triggered for brooding.
Do not mistake the normal winter break for a permanent stop of eggs. 

Okay thank you for letting me know!

 

[donrae]

I agree with the above. I've never had a hen totally stop egg production. Even my 7 year old hatchery birds would give me say 3 eggs a week.

My oldest bantam Cochin, I think she's 5? Raised 3 batches of chicks last year. I'm counting on her to do at least 2 this year

 

[drumstick diva]

agree with junebuggena

 

[josie705]

I agree with the above. I've never had a hen totally stop egg production. Even my 7 year old hatchery birds would give me say 3 eggs a week. 

My oldest bantam Cochin, I think she's 5? Raised 3 batches of chicks last year. I'm counting on her to do at least 2 this year 

I never knew that! I bought Americana/Easter Egger for her color from a rescue (In okay condition) and she's in quarantine still. The people told me that most hens there were hens that had past the age of egg laying. I have heard that before and thought that after a certain age most breeds just stop laying. I had no idea that that wasn't true. Thanks much!