Only going broody when rooster dies

[wamtazlady]

Have a 4 year old barnyard mix hen. Two years ago a fox got the rooster. The hen disappeared and we assumed the fox had gotten her also. Five weeks later she reappeared with 10 chicks fathered by the dead rooster. This year a cougar has moved into the area and got my rooster. Again, the hen disappears and is presumed dead. A few days ago she reappeared with another 10 chicks. I am wondering if it is coincidence or not that she only goes broody when there is no rooster. I just think it's odd that the only times she's brooded eggs is when the rooster is suddenly gone. Anyone else have this happen?

Although I prefer to free range my birds, they are now locked up for the rest of the year. Grandson will get my electric poultry netting repaired and back up just in case a bird gets out of the coop when we're feeding and watering. This area is becoming wilder and wilder although we are only 1/2 mile from town. We never used to have cougars on a regular basis.

 

[Scooby308]

Was it your only roo in her flock? If so, could it be knowing the roo was gone it sent her broody to try to produce a new roo for the flock?

 

[wamtazlady]

In the first case it was a single rooster. Had 2 roosters this year but both got taken the same night. Something is telling her to make babies when something like this happens. Never heard of it happening before though. None of the other hens do this, just the one. She may be more likely to do this as she's a barnyard mix. All my other hens are actual pure breeds. Just wanted to know if anyone else ever experienced this happening. In both cases she didn't start to lay the eggs she brooded until the rooster was dead. It's always been about 5 weeks after the rooster is gone that she shows up with newly hatched chicks.

 

[Folly's place]

She's a gem! I've never had these exact circumstances here, but you've got to love this mama bird!
Mary

 

[True Patriot]

I don't know if it's circumstances, luck, or what. But you need to get Super Hen a cape.

 

[MyCuteCoop]

Craaaaazy!!!

 

[Folly's place]

And keep her offspring! Daughters! Sons! What a bird!
Mary

 

[wamtazlady]

So far no one has a hen that has done the same thing so she seems to be very special. The new chicks are half Salmon Faverolles so am anxiously waiting for them to feather out and see what I have. I just love SFs.

I never even wanted this hen. She was part of a group of 5 chicks that my neighbor couldn't sell. She talked my grandson into bringing them here, just until she had a place for them. Of course she never found that place for them. All the chicks ended up being pullets, much to my surprise.

 

[aart]

Wonders if it is instinct, to reproduce after the flock loses member(s) to depredation?
Could just be coincidence and human speculation.
@centrarchid might know.