My usually broody hen didn't brood 😫

[zweibucherwurm]

Hi,
I have a 7 year old buff orpington who has gone broody the last 5 years. The first year or two I broke her of it, 2 years ago I got day old chicks for her to adopt, and last year I got hatching eggs. This year we have a rooster and I was excited for her to go broody and hatch some of our own eggs, but she hasn't been interested at all! I've left eggs and golf balls in the nest box, given fresh bedding etc. I know I can't force it, but does anyone have any ideas about why she didn't? Would the rooster (her "son") affect desire to set? Is she too old? Do you think next year she'll set again or is this the end of it?

 

[The Birb King]

They don't exactly have a "routine" of going broody, its just whenever they feel like it. She may go bloody this year or she may not. I had a bunch of broodies last year and not nearly as much this year. You will just need to wait and see