Can broody hens that have no fertilized eggs still pick out chest feathers?

[Chicken Chicken Love]

I was wondering because of something I read!

 

[MarkJr]

Absolutely

My broody didn’t have a rooster 6 weeks before she went bat-crap-broody. It’s the reason I threw 5 ‘day olds’ under her. Wasn’t going to put up with it again this year.

 

[CrazyChicken Lady]

Oh yes they can!!
My broody hen wasn't even sitting on eggs and she still pulled out her feathers, they don't care if they have eggs or not they are trying to prepare their nests for babies.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I've never heard of the hen plucking herself

 

[Chicken Chicken Love]

Oh yes they can!!
My broody hen wasn't even sitting on eggs and she still pulled out her feathers, they don't care if they have eggs or not they are trying to prepare their nests for babies.

Thank you! Arent chickens amazing!

 

[Chicken Chicken Love]

I've never heard of the hen plucking herself

From what I've read the hen that is broody creates a sort of heat pouch which is a square where they have picked out their feathers and it is just skin for the chicks to snuggle up to! Then they use those feathers for their nest!

 

[MarkJr]

I've never heard of the hen plucking herself

Broody hens are bare skinned where eggs make contact from my knowledge. They pull the fine feathers and they wind up here there.... and pretty much all over.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Broody hens are bare skinned where eggs make contact from my knowledge. They pull the fine feathers and they wind up here there.... and pretty much all over.

My hens never pluck themselves or use feather for their nests unless the feathers are already there

 

[MarkJr]

What breed are they? I’m curious now if it’s a breed thing. Just a newbie learning where he can.

 

[Chicken Chicken Love]

My hens never pluck themselves or use feather for their nests unless the feathers are already there

They never picked out their feathers when they were broody???