Is broodyness contagious?

[mrsmaonaigh]

A couple of days ago I posted about how giddy I was to have my first broody. My second hen is DEFINITELY broody too. Now 2 more girls are showing signs of being broody. Did I curse myself by being too happy? I have a group of pullets who just started laying so I'm getting plenty of pullet eggs but really now? *sigh*

 

[chicky_mommy]

If you want to stop the brooding just keep picking up the eggs.

What breed(s) do you have?

Often if a hen hatches eggs (even just one or 2) she will return to laying normally until the babies are fully grown.

 

[hencam]

Broodiness is not contagious, but it is more prevalent in certain breeds, and even within breeds, some hens are more broody than others. I have persistent broodies who don't care if there are eggs under them or not, they keep at it. While broody they will not lay AND they often get in a huffy bad mood. Here's a blog post about how to get a hen off the nest.
http://www.hencam.com/henblog/2010/06/the-broody-hen/

 

[mrsmaonaigh]

I'm not really that worried about it. I just think I jinxed myself LOL! All of the ones that are broody are EEs. I still have plenty of girls laying so I won't lack for eggs even if they are smaller eggs. Thanks though.

 

[sourland]

Broodiness is only contagious if you associate with Gritsar.

I've given her a lot of help.

 

[gmendoza]

I myself have never went broody,so I dont think its contageous.