how old are pullets before they go broody?

[sdshoars]

i can't wait to stick some egss under one of my girls, but they are not near old enough. they shouls start laying in november, but i would like to use them to hatch eggs this next spring.... so how old are they typically before they go broody and want to sit? i have 1 BO, 1 BR, 1 SLW, and 1 GLW. i know they probably wont all go broody, but i hope at least one will. and will a hen go broody again after one hatch in the same year? thanks!!!

 

[halfwaynowhere]

glad you posted, i've been wondering the same thing myself. My girls have been laying for two weeks now... I don't want to hatch chicks, but i'd like to sneak a few under them at night so i don't have to worry about brooding them myself...
looking forward to seeing your question answered!

 

[Heidi]

Most of my pullets were almost a year before they tempted to go broody, but I did have a wheaten pendesenca go broody after laying for a month.

 

[keljonma]

Depends on the individual bird. Our SLW, GLW and BO haven't gone broody and they are over 2 years old. Our Jersey Black Giant first went broody at 6 months of age and has gone broody every 6 months since. She is also over 2 years of age.


edited for spelling

 

[ashyannehand]

My girls are 8 months old and none broody yet. I have a variety with buff orps and EE's. Also some others that I can not remember now.

I will tell you that I have read several times on this forum that it is best to wait until the pullets are a year old, because sometimes they do not stay with the eggs the whole time, or they do not make good mommas after they have the chicks. I had the same question before and looked at threads. You may want to do a search on that subject.

Either way - Good luck with your girls.

 

[spydertoys]

Some never go broody..and then it is only certain breeds. There are signs to watch for such as: the hen stays on the nest for a long time and sometimes refuses to leave it.
at the start of the breeding season the comb still has a bright fresh red color...later on this fades.
certain parts of the abdomen and breast become featherless (brood patches)
the hen makes clucking or plaintive noises
she may become less sociable, taking a threatening attitude toward other hens.

When they become broody varies..many of the so-called egg breeds are non-sitters.

Silkies, Sussex, and Wyandottes, and Cochins can get broody at a very early age sometimes when they are only 6 months old...however at that age they are mentally not up to the responsibility of hatching and caring for chicks.