How would I know if my chicken is broody?

[bazi77]

I have 16 chicken and 4 roosters, all in same coop and run. How would I know if my chicken is broody? Also I am planning to leave the eggs in coop so whenever one of them become broody, they know what to do with those eggs. Any suggestions?

 

[Cynthia12]

Quote:
welcome bazi

I don't think it's necessary to leave eggs in the coop. If a girl goes broody, she will stay on eggs~or just sit in a nest box. She won't leave it. If you take her out, and she goes back and stays in there for a couple of days..you can pretty much guess that she is broody.

 

[bazi77]

Thank you Cynthia, I appreciate the words of wisdom.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
I agree. If you leave the eggs the longer they set without incubation either by a broody or being in an incubator they loose their viability. Not a good idea to leave eggs in a nest box and wait for a bird to go broody. If one goes broody then you can put some eggs under her. Good luck and have fun...

 

[SunnyChic]

For me, the biggest sign for broodiness is when the pullet/hen doesn't go up on the roost at night; rather, she stays on the nest. Here's my latest happy broody mama:

 

[mkcolls]

SunnyChic:

So sweet! What a good mama.

bazi77:

As Cynthia12 said the broody chicken come before the egg. You will know when a hen goes broody, you won't be able to keep her from the nest, she may sit on other hens eggs, or move them to her favorite nest box.

 

[gryeyes]

Other signs: flattening herself out over the eggs and making this horrible chittering sound of warning. Then puffing up and darting a peck at you for reaching into her nest box.

If she stays in the nest two nights in a row instead of roosting, then I am pretty sure a hen will stay broody. One night isn't sufficient; I've had hens "practice" at being broody for a full day and then give it up.

Not a good idea to leave eggs hoping somebody will go broody; that's just wasting eggs. Many BYC members have NEVER had a broody hen.

 

[bazi77]

Cool, I will keep my eyes open and as soon as hen goes broody, I will put some eggs under her