How to tell if a broody hen is in it for the long run

[mdpfeifer]

Hi,
I am totally new to chickens. Lulu, my buff orpington has been laying steadily since early December (when she layed her first egg) and yesterday, all of last night and so far to date has not left the nest. She has been sitting on a golf ball and acting very protective...fluffing feathers and making funny noises....but she still lets me pet her. Will she snap out of it? I only have 4 hens and thought if one went broody I would put some fertilized eggs under her, however this is not the right time do it. This is her first time showing broody signs. Any suggestions on what to do would really be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Pinky]

If she's real dedicated, she won't stop until she hatches something or you break her. Watch her for a couple of days and see what she does

 

[gryeyes]

My test is two nights on the nest, no returning to the roost.

She could still give up part way through, and I always worry about that, but my two hens who went broody at 7 months went all the way and raised the chicks quite well.