How long for broody hen to lay eggs again

[Fullcoop]

One of my chickens (6 month old white rock) went broody. She wouldn't leave the nest even with no eggs in the box and the other hens picked on her when she came out to make her go sit back on the nest. Well of course she stopped laying eggs but it took me 2 days to break her from sitting in the box all day but she still hasn't laid eggs again. How long for her to start again? Is it weird that another chicken stopped laying too while she was broody and hasn't eggs since?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

It can take several weeks to a month for a hen to begin to lay again after going broody depending on the hen and the breed.

Usually hens molt after brooding, so they have to finish that process before they lay again. Making sure their nutrition level is up can help them regain strength to lay sooner.

Other things can factor in as well. If they finish brooding to go into the winter months, you may not see an egg until spring.

LofMc

 

[Cookies-Chickens2004]

Thank you so much
I appreciate everyone in this community. The generosity of knowledge and experience everyone has collected over the years of their caring for these wonderful birds. I always have peace of mind knowing I can come here and share my issues and someone will be willing to help. I care a great deal for my birds, and I'd feel terrible if one died due to my ignorance of care. It's nice to have this resource of information available to help me figure out any issues if there is a problem.
Thanks again, BYC Community

 

[farmmanjim]

It can take several weeks to a month for a hen to begin to lay again after going broody depending on the hen and the breed.

Usually hens molt after brooding, so they have to finish that process before they lay again. Making sure their nutrition level is up can help them regain strength to lay sooner.

Other things can factor in as well. If they finish brooding to go into the winter months, you may not see an egg until spring.

LofMc

My 1 year old Jersey Giant went broody so I left her alone. She hatched 1 chick from the 2 eggs she had. The chick is 4 days old and moma laid an egg today the size of a nickel.

 

[Fullcoop]

Oh man! I hope it doesn't take that long for her to lay eggs again.

It can take several weeks to a month for a hen to begin to lay again after going broody depending on the hen and the breed.

Usually hens molt after brooding, so they have to finish that process before they lay again. Making sure their nutrition level is up can help them regain strength to lay sooner.

Other things can factor in as well. If they finish brooding to go into the winter months, you may not see an egg until spring.

LofMc

 

[song of joy]

If the hen has only been broody for a couple of days, mine usually start laying again within 1 to 2 weeks after breaking their broodiness.

 

[Wilmer Gehman]

I had a chicken that didn't lay eggs for a month after being broody. Like "Lady of McCamly" said it depends on the breed and hen. Look luck! hope you get an egg soon!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Oh man! I hope it doesn't take that long for her to lay eggs again.

I would be surprised that it takes her that long...first because I am surprised she went broody at all. White Rock have been genetically selected for production which means deselected for broodiness.

Chances are she will be into production soon since you broke her of her broodiness.

Be aware, some hens are real stinkers about wanting to brood and nothing short of hatching chicks makes them stop.

I put my girls to work hatching eggs, but I know not all people prefer to or can do that.

LofMc

 

[Fullcoop]

I hope you're right that she starts producing again soon. It's just my luck that I picked a "non broody" breed just for her to decide that she wants to be different.

I would be surprised that it takes her that long...first because I am surprised she went broody at all. White Rock have been genetically selected for production which means deselected for broodiness.

Chances are she will be into production soon since you broke her of her broodiness.

Be aware, some hens are real stinkers about wanting to brood and nothing short of hatching chicks makes them stop.

I put my girls to work hatching eggs, but I know not all people prefer to or can do that.

LofMc

 

[Cookies-Chickens2004]

I'm having the same issue. My broody wouldn't break, so I incubated eggs and gave her chicks which are 8 weeks old now. Another hen went broody once the chicks were out in the coop and she began to follow around the first broody hen with the chicks. Begrudgingly, the initial broody hen finally allowed the second broody hen to help her care for the five chicks. Now, they both share in the responsibility of caring for the chicks as if they both hatched the clutch of eggs. My problem, neither hen is laying eggs and hasn't been for 8 weeks. The initial broody did molt after going broody. The other broody did not molt, that I can tell. My roo has completely left both of these girls alone until yesterday. Will his new interest in them encourage them to begin laying eggs again? How do I encourage them to stop eating the starter/grower feed I offer the chicks and to eat the egg layer feed?