Is it possible, broody already?

[scrambledmess]

I got my chicks at Easter this spring. I have one who is sitting on a group of eggs and won't get off or let others in. Isn't that a bit young to be broody?

 

[Happy Chooks]

I understand they can go broody that young. How long has she been on the nest? Is she there at night?

I only get chickens that "play" broody. They peck, screech, puff up, but at night they are back on the roost.

 

[SpringChickens]

Nope, if they can lay, they can brood

What breed is she?

 

[scrambledmess]

No idea the breed. I got her from TSC. She is mostly white with some brown at the end of a few feathers. She is normally there in the evening right when a few of the others are coming in to roost. I will check tonight again to see. She really puffed up at me this morning. It has been 3 days.

 

[pgpoultry]

Hi, It may be useful to lift her (watch out for pecking!) and take a look at her breast/belly. Broody hens moult and/or pull out these feathers.....may be another clue?

Sandie

 

[Kittymomma]

If she's broody and not ill you should also start seeing the dreaded brood poo--They only deficate once every day or two when they're sitting on a nest so it's very large, very smelly, and very distinctive. I have an EE pullet a week or so younger that just started laying and she's already showing signs of going broody too so it's entirely possible.

 

[AllCoop'dUp]

I have a Mottled Java hen about 20 weeks old and just started laying about 2 weeks ago. Yesterday she stayed on the nest for about 6 hrs. all puffed up and I debated whether to let her continue, but decided that since I have have 24-2 wk olds already I'd better throw her off. I thought she was pretty young too, but apparently not.

 

[Aaronblackman]

I have a light sussex hen, she's my only LS, she was two years old this easter, and she has gone broody and successfully hatched 6 times, she is the best Mum i have ever had... bar my own of course