Is my hen going broody?

[Jean67]

I have a 5 1/2 month old EE that has been laying for about a month. She has recently started trying to steal eggs from the other hens. Today she was waiting with her head almost under one of the other hens to take the egg as soon as it came out. She then started rolling the egg away and when I went to take it from her she sat on it and didn't want to let me take it. I stuck 2 eggs into a nest box to see what she would do and she went right in and sat on them. She didn't stay in the box long but I wanted to leave a few eggs in the nest to see if she will hatch them out. Any opinions?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

When they are broody they will puff up, growl, and probably peck you, she could just want to lay where there are already eggs in a nest, mine do it, it's an instinct, that's why putting fake eggs or golf balls in a nest makes them lay in it, it's a "it's safe here" sign.

 

[Blooie]

We have one of our EEs who has gone broody twice now - the first time she was just 8 months old! We always know when she's broody. She goes from Agatha the Sweet -









.....to Attilla the Hen in just days!



She puffs up, she growls, and I swear she grows an extra set of eyes just so she always has one set on me and one set on the rest of her surroundings at the all times. She'll sit on an empty nest, a wooden egg, or any other nest that looks like it would provide a safe place for her family - no matter which chicken is currently occupying that nest at the time. They all know that discretion is the better part of valor and give her whatever spot she wants, whenever she wants it. Little grouch! I'm going to get a set of gauntlets and chain mail just for checking on her next time! And when she's not broody, she's friendly and a little clown. My little granddaughter adores her and has totally adopted her, and Agatha likes to see Katie coming too. Go figger!

 

[Jean67]

Blooie - she is so adorable! Everyone lays in the nest box except for the hen who's egg was stolen today, she lays in the corner of the coop. I'm kind of hoping someone goes broody before it gets too cold because I would love to hatch out some olive eggers from my EE rooster and welsummer hens!