How fast does it take a hen to decide if she wants to go broody

[Bryce Thomas]

37.5 seconds

fr like is it actually that fast

 

[JacinLarkwell]

fr like is it actually that fast

No, like people, it is all up to the bird. Some take a few days, some just don't get up one day

 

[rosemarythyme]

really?

No.

In reality it can happen overnight, or there can be an extended slow ramp up time of weeks or even months, where they start exhibiting more and more behaviors. Maybe a little lounging in the nests, then some weight gain, then the broody time bomb sound, and then once they want to spend the night in the nest box, that's pretty much the tipping point.

Sometimes they'll start ramping up and then never get there. I had just broken 3 broodies in a row (1 bird twice, with another in the middle) and then another one started up with the tik-tik-tik sound for about 2 weeks, but now she's stopped, so hopefully I don't have to go through another round of breaking this year.

 

[yakitori]

My satin made broody screeches, fluffed up with her wings angled down and walked around with ticking clock clucks about a week before she actually sat in the nest and refused to move. I moved her to various locations to see if I can break her broodiness, but being a satin (probably cochin and silkie blood) she would go broody anywhere. So on day 3 I decided I would just give her eggs to hatch.

Her extreme broodiness made her very easy to move. I simply plopped her in the new nesting box, and she was happy to sit...

Here she is, on day 12

 

[sourland]

fr like is it actually that fast

Nope. Fact is it varies from bird to bird. Some are clucky for a period of time prior to setting, and others do it at the snap of your fingers. Once the pattern is set for each bird, she will generally follow it throughout her lifetime.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

My satin made broody screeches, fluffed up with her wings angled down and walked around with ticking clock clucks about a week before she actually sat in the nest and refused to move. I moved her to various locations to see if I can break her broodiness, but being a satin (probably cochin and silkie blood) she would go broody anywhere. So on day 3 I decided I would just give her eggs to hatch.

Her extreme broodiness made her very easy to move. I simply plopped her in the new nesting box, and she was happy to sit...

Here she is, on day 12
View attachment 2704646

Off topic, if that a splash or paint? Either way, it's one of the prettiest ones I've seen

 

[yakitori]

Off topic, if that a splash or paint? Either way, it's one of the prettiest ones I've seen

Thanks! she's a paint satin. she never really stays white though
What you see is her after I trimmed her crest and beard, if I didn't she wouldn't be able to see at all...lol

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Thanks! she's a paint satin. she never really stays white though
What you see is her after I trimmed her crest and beard, if I didn't she wouldn't be able to see at all...lol

I'm not a fan of paints, but I've only seen silkies. They look so nice with normal feathering!

 

[yakitori]

I'm not a fan of paints, but I've only seen silkies. They look so nice with normal feathering!

here she is from the side, in case you were wondering. you van see where i trimmed her beard short. Im not a fan of silkie feathering in general