If a hen gets broody does she stop laying eggs?

[mylittlehof]

I have a Buff Orpington who has decided she needs to keep the golf ball in the nest very warm and periodically one of her other lady friends will deposit one in there for her to sit on too - but she hasn't laid in a while - when they get broody, do they stop laying eggs or should I be looking for a problem? Thanks.

 

[Katy]

Yes, they quit laying.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Yes. They become grumpy freeloaders. Tell me about it!

 

[Judy]

That's why commercials have been trying to breed broodiness out of them, which in turn is why we see odd patterns of being broody but a lousy mama, being broody for a while but quitting before the eggs hatch, etc.

 

[Chicken Dave]

Yes, and if you let her hatch the eggs she still won't lay until the chicks can survive on their own with the other chickens.

 

[mylittlehof]

Man I LOVE this forum - any question I have, ya'll immediately answer and may my day!!! Thanks for the information.