- Jun 28, 2011
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Our chickens are 6 months old and have been laying eggs like the champs they are since Easter. (6-8 eggs from 8 chickens).
A few days ago our big girl, Paris, started sitting on the nesting box and not getting off, ruffling and growling when we tried to gather the eggs, and generally acting strange. Also, the other girls pecked at her when she was up and about. Being chicken nubies, we had no idea what was going on. After searching this excellent website, we realized, to our relief, that she is broody. (we are all excited to use this fun word as much as possible now!).
We do not have a rooster and therefore, the eggs are not, nor will they ever be, fertile! Is it normal for a chicken to brood on infertile eggs? How long will she stay broody? Is it ok or even recommended that we get her up to exercise a few times a day? Can we expect all the hens to go through this? How often will the broodiness happen for a given hen? How do we feed her if she won't get out of the nest?

A few days ago our big girl, Paris, started sitting on the nesting box and not getting off, ruffling and growling when we tried to gather the eggs, and generally acting strange. Also, the other girls pecked at her when she was up and about. Being chicken nubies, we had no idea what was going on. After searching this excellent website, we realized, to our relief, that she is broody. (we are all excited to use this fun word as much as possible now!).
We do not have a rooster and therefore, the eggs are not, nor will they ever be, fertile! Is it normal for a chicken to brood on infertile eggs? How long will she stay broody? Is it ok or even recommended that we get her up to exercise a few times a day? Can we expect all the hens to go through this? How often will the broodiness happen for a given hen? How do we feed her if she won't get out of the nest?
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