How many people have never had a BROODY hen??

[Ericasl]

I was wondering how many of you chicken folk have never had a broody hen. I now silkies are always wanting to be mothers, and RIR's are not a broody breed, but for everyone eles how has chickens that could be broody what are the odds, and do they go broody more in spring, summer, fall or winter, or does it not matter at all. Just when the hormones get flowing?

Can you tell I am going broody crazy.

I think I would sit on the eggs myself if I could.

 

[silkiechicken]

It depends on the bird and a bit on the breed, and how their hormones are flowing. Cochins and silkies are pretty good at going broody on you, while production strains are less likely so.

 

[hcammack]

I have never had one but I have only had chickens for about 6 months.

Henry

 

[clucker]

We have 8 RIR, 1 Plymouth Rock, 1 Americuana they are about 2 years old. The one is sitting but I am not sure this is the same as Broody. Someone said they will lose there feathers on there chest. Is this always true? How can you tell the difference between sitting and Broody? How old are thye usually when this occurs?

 

[lauralou]

I have 5 hens, 2 Dominiques and 3 Dominique mixes. Four of the 5 have tried to go broody this spring. This is a case of "be careful what you wish for". I so wanted a broody hen!

You will know they are broody. They sit on the nest for hours on end, puff up their feathers, and make strange sounds when you approach them. The sounds have been different for all four hens, but nonetheless, very strange sounds.

The first hen was broody, so I gave her 4 eggs to hatch. The next 2 that started to go broody, I kept removing them from the nests, and broke them of it. Meanwhile, the broody hatched 4 chicks. Very cool!

The fourth hen was determined, and the new chicks were so cute, I gave her 8 eggs to sit on.

But egg production is DOWN! I wanted to make a cake the other day, and had no eggs!

Edited to add: My girls are one year old.

 

[cluckychick]

Quote:
I read that if you try to reach under them and they sqawk, throw a fit but get up and leave then they are not "truly" broody. If you reach under and she puffs up her chest, throws a fit on you and doesn't leave then she is "truly" broody.

I've nvr had a broody hen but I read allllloooootttt of books and magazines on the subject so I don't actually have 1st hand knowledge, lol. Hopefully someday I will

 

[Sahara]

My Aracauna has never brooded. I've had her three years now and she was laying when I got her so I have no idea how old she is.

At this moment I have two on the nest, one 1/2 black sexlink that broods all the time and my RIR, Rhoda. This is her second go around this season.

 

[hcammack]

My favorrel hen was acting funny today but maybe she just wanted to try her luck and sleep in the nest box and went to bed early we will see tommarow.

Henry

 

[roosters97]

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR TWO YEARS

 

[hcammack]

My favorrel hen was acting funny today but maybe she just wanted to try her luck and sleep in the nest box and went to bed early we will see tommarow.

Henry