Is there a deadline to when a hen should go broody?

[wconstantine]

I have a Silkie that I believe just went broody today. I am curious as to if there is a "season" so to speak for broodiness and if so is this late in the season for a New England hen?

The weather will start getting colder and I'm just hoping hatchlings would be okay.

 

[Wyandottes7]

Hens will go broody at any time of year; the season doesn't really matter. However, they usually go broody in spring and summer.

 

[donrae]

Silkies are notorious for being permanently broody. Lots of other breeds will only be broody in spring or summer.

 

[appps]

Yep mine has been broody dead of winter so anytime. We aren't using her to hatch though.

 

[wconstantine]

So if we have her hatch a clutch, 21 days from yesterday puts the hatch date for August 29th will the young be okay as the weather will be cooler?

 

[donrae]

Yes. It's actually probably better weather than the broodys that hit very, very early spring. I've had chicks hatch in blustery, rainy March do quite well with a good broody momma. Just be sure they're dry and not in the wind, and she'll do her thing!

 

[wconstantine]

Awesome! And then after they hatch is there a rule of thumb when you can return momma and babies to the flock?