Do hens go broody more? or less? often as they get older?

[SarahGfa]

I have a one-year-old broody leghorn who has gone broody 3 times so far this year. It is getting taking longer and longer in the wire cage to break her each time. Maybe in the future she can hatch some eggs, but I want to plan my flock expansion slowly because I have 2 other broody-prone hens and don't have a lot of space. Due to Newcastle disease in California, it is difficult to sell or re-home extra birds right now. This will probably be the case for the rest of the year, maybe longer.

Question#1: Will my broody leghorn be broody just as much next year, and the year after? Does it make a difference if I let her hatch a clutch this year or make her wait a year?

Question#2: For those with serial broody's, how often do you let them hatch chicks? Is it okay to "never" let them hatch chicks?

 

[MotherHen75]

It depends on the chicken, some breeds go broody more often than others. My flock of 7 chickens and a rooster, we only have one broody and we were happy with that. We have been trying to get some chicks. Your hen should go broody next year, if not you can encourage her. Leave some eggs in the coup and give her an ideal nesting box.

 

[aart]

Haven't had enough broodies to answer your questions with any accuracy, so I won't.

Have broken more than few, some went broody again, some did not.
Had a serial broody last year, she went broody as a pullet in late fall but was easily broken.
Went broody again at about 1yo and I let her hatch, she did great but weaned the chicks at about 4 weeks, then laid for a couple weeks and went broody again, and again, and again..... 7 times I broke her, took longer each time, I finally gave her away. Will have to check to see if she's still at it.