MJ's little flock

[BY Bob]

I have one hen who is often broody. She has gone broody every month for the past five months.
This time around I have not broken her and it has now been three weeks.

I decided to try this because I hoped that it might get it out of her system until next summer if she sat longer. Also the other hens are not laying as much, so there is not too much drama over the nests and there haven't been fights.

Usually my other two Orpingtons get in flapping, biting fights with the others when they are off the nest while broody. Penny is a mild-mannered hen who doesn't like to fight. She will have to deal with some confrontations though once she rejoins the flock. I am now trying to encourage her to spend less time on the nest since it has been about three weeks. She seems healthy if a bit thin. Her comb has shrunken, but I believe that can be normal for a broody.

You are correct that her comb could be shrunken as a broody. After 21 days I would try to break her though. I think you are right to do so.

 

[BY Bob]

Sorry if this is a dumb thing to say, but isn't it an odd time of year to go broody just as we go into winter?

It can happen. This is when Maleficent went broody. That's why I broke her. Winter was too close.

 

[BY Bob]

They don't expend energy while sitting still so it makes sense they don't eat as much and use up stored energy instead.

Weight loss in broodies makes sense to me, what does everyone else think?

Yes, broody hens can lose weight. That's why it is important that they eat when they do get up. So the weight loss can be limited.

 

[BY Bob]

No, she is a Buff Orpington.

Here's a photo of Penny right before she went broody.
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Beautiful girl.

 

[Grandmas Coop]

Janet is chowing down on her dinner

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Ivy too!

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They are Gorgeous!

 

[Ribh]

No, she is a Buff Orpington.

Here's a photo of Penny right before she went broody.
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She is gorgeous!

 

[MaryJanet]

Yes, broody hens can lose weight. That's why it is important that they eat when they do get up. So the weight loss can be limited.

I haven't yet seen a broody abstain from eating once she's up on her feet.

Is it something that happens often?

 

[MaryJanet]

Good evening folks

Good morning/evening MJ and everyone

Hi you two how's your Tuesday going?

 

[Lexicon]

She is gorgeous!

Aww, thanks ! She's a lovely hen with a placid personality.

She is spending the day in the Broody Run today and has adjusted well - no pacing and staring at the door leading to her nest so far. It's only a few degrees above freezing, so maybe that will help cool off her underside quickly!

 

[MaryJanet]

The Clucken Wakes