Presence of a Rooster - Just a Theory

[Spartan22]

In my 5 years of hen keeping, we never had broody hens until this year except one (a white leghorn) few years ago which we broke within 3 days. This spring we have 6 hens ranging from 1-3 years old went broody almost simultaneously.

My theory which might be totally false, the presence of a studly one year old rooster in an adjacent run and coop causing my hens to go broody and wanted to be momma hens. Anyone had this kind of observation? So does this theory have some weight to it or it’s just a coincidence? Please prove me wrong.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I've never witnessed an increase in brooding due to the presence of a rooster.

I have, however, witnessed that when my flock began to become more heavily populated by daughters of broody hens, and hen hatched, I have a lot more broodies.

Genetically I have been inadvertently selecting for broodiness because I only hatch now from my own flock, and I only use natural brooders.

I've got 5 broody now. Eggs are getting slimmer in numbers. I may have to add in some commercially purchased chicks to get some commercial type layers again.

LofMc