Precocious broody?

[losttexan]

My current group of pullets are just now approaching POL (they're at 20 weeks). Surprisingly, the RIR beat the Black Sex Link to it, and has been laying for a few days now, but everybody's doing the squat. The BSL is nesting, but is also showing common signs of broodiness. I know it has been selectively bred out of most commercial breeds (esp. BSLs), but is it possible/heard of for a bird to go broody right at POL before laying her first egg?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I once had a Silkie go broody and accept hatchery chicks as her own before she had started laying. This would be right after she saw them. She leaped up and over a 2 foot high divider to get to them to be their mama. Silkies are amazing!

 

[losttexan]

Stories about the parental instincts of silkies are legion and impressive. One of these days I may actually get one, but I haven't heard of that kind of behavior from a BSL.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/365682/broody-sexlink-yay-its-day-21-pics-of-the-4-chicks
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/187485/black-sex-link-broody
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/576262/my-broody-white-leghorn-did-it-pics-update


You might enjoy these threads. Broody production breeds aren't the norm, but it's a nice surprise when you get one!