Change in broody patterns

[DMJ1123]

I have five hens in the flock that are nearly four years old. They are Buff Orps, so they have always been broody as anything. This year, however, not a single one of them has gone broody. Usually each one will go broody twice in the spring/summer months. Is this typical of aging hens?

 

[mcdze]

theyre getting there a far as age so wont be quite as active .. ive never figured broody chickens out though lol ,, you can break a broody cycle by penning up the hen for a few days so she cant sit on the nest is all ive really learned .. and if theres more eggs, everybodys laying atm etc its more likely theyll go broody, some of them anyway ..

 

[DMJ1123]

Oh yes, I know (unfortunately) all the tricks of the trade for breaking broodies. It was a nice change not having to break any this year though, so I'm not complaining