Is my hen broody enough to hatch eggs?

[oregonmuggle]

Hi there!
I have 2 year old Black Australorp who loves to sit on the eggs she and her coop mate lay. She’s on them most of the time until I open the gate between their run and our yard to let them free range. As long as that gate is open, she’s free ranging. Otherwise, you can usually find her on the nest.
I am considering getting some fertilized eggs for her to mother. Do you think she’s broody enough for them to actually hatch?
Thank you in advance for any input!

 

[zhutson789]

Hi there!
I have 2 year old Black Australorp who loves to sit on the eggs she and her coop mate lay. She’s on them most of the time until I open the gate between their run and our yard to let them free range. As long as that gate is open, she’s free ranging. Otherwise, you can usually find her on the nest.
I am considering getting some fertilized eggs for her to mother. Do you think she’s broody enough for them to actually hatch?
Thank you in advance for any input!

Is she already sitting on eggs when you open the cage? If so then probably not if you are going to continue to free range them. If it’s not eggs she’s sitting on now then, she could have a change of heart once she gets some!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

In my experience, a truly broody hen wants to set on eggs (or golf balls) pretty much day and night regardless of what kind of alternative activities might tempt her to get off the nest, day or night. She may get off the nest briefly once or twice a day to eat, drink, dust bathe, and drop a big turd, but as soon as those chores are taken care of, bam! She's back on the the nest again, day and night, flat like a pancake and purring her little croaky love song with a very thoughful look on her face. She'll pluck her belly bald and under her wings to make a warm spot for the eggs and chicks. And if you try to interfere, she'll fluff up real big, rising up like a boiling volcano while warning you to back off in no uncertain terms, until she strikes like a snake if you reach for her babies. Careful, she can leave a significant bruise! That's a true broody. At that point she's truly ready for the responsibilities of motherhood. Give her fertile eggs and stand back!

 

[oregonmuggle]

Is she already sitting on eggs when you open the cage? If so then probably not if you are going to continue to free range them. If it’s not eggs she’s sitting on now then, she could have a change of heart once she gets some!

Yes, she already sitting on eggs.