Is she broody?

[mountainchickens]

Hi! We have one definite broody girl who'll have chicks on the 14th or 15th. It's her first time, but she's doing well. Another of our girls (they are 10 months) has been broody once before, in April. I think she's broody, but I'm not entirely sure. She's been in the same nesting box as our definite broody for 4 days and 3 nights now. She gets up to eat, drink and scratch around, for maybe an hour and a half a day. She's made broody noises only once or twice, it doesn't happen whenever you touch her, and she doesn't puff up like our definite broody. I just want to make sure she's broody because we're adopting chicks to them and one hen can't handle the amount of chicks I was thinking of for the two of them. Thanks!

 

[TwoChicksChix]

A good way to tell might be to place some eggs in front of her and see if she nuzzles them under her breast.

You can also check to see if her breast is hotter than your other chickens. Close to the other broodys temperature.

 

[ellenscoop]

Well, the best trick is to slip an egg in front of her and see if she cant resist the urge to put it under her.....if she does she is broody. But here is more info - http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/broodiness

 

[mountainchickens]

Thanks! She tucks all the eggs we give her under her She also started making a few broody noises. We ordered the chicks - the hens will be so happy!