Fake broody behavior?

[Chickenraiser1995]

My australorp hen has started acting kind of like a broody mama. She’s not setting on eggs, she’s still laying eggs daily and free ranges with the flock. But she puffs up like a broody mom and screeches at the other hens and rooster when they come near. She does the low cluck like she’s talking to chicks half the time too. She did hatch out chicks on her own last year but none of them made it. I was hoping she’d try this year but I think she missed the step where she sits on eggs.. I tried giving her young chicks from the feed store but she wanted nothing to do with them. Can someone explain why she might be behaving like this?

 

[sourland]

Sounds like pre broody behavior to me. I would expect that she will start setting relatively soon. When fostering chicks to broody hens, I have had greatest success with hens that have been setting 2 weeks or more.

 

[aart]

Sounds like pre broody behavior to me. I would expect that she will start setting relatively soon. When fostering chicks to broody hens, I have had greatest success with hens that have been setting 2 weeks or more.

Ditto Dat^^^

 

[Chickenraiser1995]

Her broody behavior is more intense today if that makes sense. She laid an egg a couple hours ago and is now back in the coop in her nest. Extra growls and screeches. I’m guessing if not today then very very soon she’ll set! I have plenty of eggs for her to hatch.. hopefully this year they make it.

 

[Chickenraiser1995]

She hasn’t budged off her nest since she went back in. Settled down really snug and she won’t move lol
I guess this is it! Thanks guys