Does age have anything to do with it?

[jjdward]

I've had chickens for about 5 years and have dealt with broody hens a few times. I normally keep the about 18 months then I swap them out for a new flock of chicks. This last flock I have had about 2 years and I have the strangest thing happen. The last few months I have had 4 or 5 hens go broody! It seems like all at once and I was wondering if the age of the hens had to do with their over broodyness or if it was just nature.

 

[Mrs. K]

I have found that I get broody hens almost always at the very end of May or first of June. I don't add artificial light, so I assumed that the daylength was long enough to trip the hormonal trigger. That being it is not uncommon for one to get the idea, and others to look at her and think, "Oh, yeah, I could do that!"

But mostly it depends on the breed of chickens. It is kind of funny that none of yours(?) went broody before 2 years old. But I have found that depends on the Gods.

Mrs K

 

[jjdward]

Speaking of breeds, one of mine is a white leghorn!!! lol

 

[Mrs. K]

ok, the Gods and the stars must be lined up above your coup, leghorns are suppose to NEVER go broody..... sure hope you can get either some fertilzed eggs or chicks..... really nothing is more fun to watch than a broody hen and chicks, I just love it when they crawl under her and then peak out.

Mrs K