Is broodiness relative to egg laying?

[Trish1974]

I have a senior hen that is between 8-10 years old. Last year she brooded a clutch for me and was a FANTASTIC mother. She has not laid an egg this year, nor do I expect her to at her age. I would love for her to go broody again this year, but are the hormones that induce broodiness tied in with egg laying? In other words, if she isn't laying will she not go broody?

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Great question!

 

[aart]

I would love for her to go broody again this year, but are the hormones that induce broodiness tied in with egg laying?

Interesting question...I have no clue.

In other words, if she isn't laying will she not go broody?

Was she laying before she went broody last year?

 

[sdm111]

I highly doubt she will go broody while not laying eggs. In my experience it seems going broody is connected to the amount of eggs laid. That's why when incubating you can keep pulling eggs and the hen will keep laying without setting.

 

[Trish1974]

Was she laying before she went broody last year?

Yes she was.

I highly doubt she will go broody while not laying eggs. In my experience it seems going broody is connected to the amount of eggs laid. That's why when incubating you can keep pulling eggs and the hen will keep laying without setting.

That makes sense. Yesterday she actually laid an egg! She must have known I was talking about her. Maybe I'll put a bunch of fake eggs in the nest box and see if that stimulates a response. I have a bantam Araucana that falls for it almost every time. Thank you for your input.

 

[Trish1974]

So just to update, my old lady is broody! She has been laying about 3 times per week.
I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but the cockbird she was in with died a week ago. He had hip problems and couldn't breed, and she's old and feeble, so I put the two together in their own coop and run. It had been just those 2 for about 6 weeks. I can't help but wonder if the loss of her only flock mate sparked an instinct to hatch chicks.

I put 3 dozen eggs in the incubator Wednesday, and will check their fertility Monday. I'll probably give her 7-8 of those eggs to hatch.