How can a hen go broody when their eggs roll into an angled layer box?

[robbiebobbie]

I was watching my hens to see who is laying and who is not. I have Black Australorps, New Hampshires and Buff Orpingtons. Some of them wanted to keep the egg from rolling into the box where I collect them. So my question is: Does a hen go broody when they cannot sit on any eggs? Please help as they are now 9 months old and they say that these breeds go broody.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Yes they will. A hen will sit on nothing if she doesn't have an egg, a rock, a golf ball, a kitten or anything else to sit on.

 

[robbiebobbie]

Oh, thank goodness! That is good to know. Thanks for the reply. I was worried about that after watching them.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Absolutely -- broodiness is a hormonal state and they can go broody on an empty nest, a non-egg object or a full clutch of eggs -- matters not to a hen determined to hatch chicks.

 

[robbiebobbie]

Wonderful news!!!