Curiosity.. 3 years never broody hen

[Birdsong 82]

I’ve had hens for 3 years and never had a broody hen. Right now I have RIR and leghorn/rir mixes. Not worried but just curious. I would love the experience but can’t have anymore roosters. My rooster will not allow that. So maybe it a good thing. I have several other breeds now also but they’re only 11 weeks. Is it the breed? Just always been curious

 

[bobbi-j]

RIRs and Leghorns generally don't tend to go broody. It has nothing to do with your rooster. The other thing is, hatchery birds are less likely to go broody than heritage birds. The broody tendency has pretty much been bred out of them.

If you were to get a broody and hatch eggs, you should have a plan for any males that are hatched, before you even set the eggs.

 

[Birdsong 82]

Definitely would have plans for a male. Couldn’t do that to a poor chick. My rooster is awesome to his hens... never seen one so dedicated.. but being a game rooster..well you know bThat’s why it may may be a good thing though would be awesome. I thought maybe the breeds. The RIR were feed store birds and the mixes were from a man I work with who breeds chickens. Great guy. I just got some ISA browns , Sierra stars, Easter eggers, New Hampshire reds and a barred rock. Any broody tendencies? Also a Jersey giant Thanks for your info

 

[bobbi-j]

Definitely would have plans for a male. Couldn’t do that to a poor chick. My rooster is awesome to his hens... never seen one so dedicated.. but being a game rooster..well you know bThat’s why it may may be a good thing though would be awesome. I thought maybe the breeds. The RIR were feed store birds and the mixes were from a man I work with who breeds chickens. Great guy. I just got some ISA browns , Sierra stars, Easter eggers, New Hampshire reds and a barred rock. Any broody tendencies? Also a Jersey giant Thanks for your info

The thing is, you just never know. Maybe the JG, maybe the BR. It seems that the hybrid hens are less likely to be broody. Buff Orpingtons have strong broody tendencies, as do Silkies, and I had a couple of Dark Cornish last year that were good little broodies. They were hatchery birds from Murray McMurray.

 

[alexa009]

My hens are quite that old and most of mine haven't been broody either and that's even my buff orpingtons and brahmas!

 

[bobbi-j]

My hens are quite that old and most of mine haven't been broody either and that's even my buff orpingtons and brahmas!

Yep - breed is not a guarantee that a hen will go broody. If yours were hatchery birds, that could be a reason they have never gone broody.

 

[pennyJo1960]

none of my hatchery birds ever went broody my silky and lavender have but both from breeders

 

[Birdsong 82]

I know some breeds are more likely than others but I’m sure the true factor is the chicken. But just curious. Hope not the JG Heard that doesn’t always work out too well cause of their size. Lol ... understandable