Question about Broody hens

[Bantimna]

I don't have a broody, but I wanted to know if, once a hen hatches her brood, does she start laying again or completely stops until her chicks can take care of themselves?

 

[Ridgerunner]

She normally stops until the chicks can take care of themselves. Her hormones are still raging, she is undernourished since she did not eat as much as normal while on the the nest so she needs to build her strength back up, she is using a lot of energy taking care of her chicks, and she does not have time to take off and sit on a nest long enough to lay an egg. Do not expect an egg from her until after the chicks are on their own. And there is no guarantee that she will immediately start laying after the chicks are on their own.

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
hellloooooo..... how is yah???? a broody will start to lay after about 3-4 weeks-she needs to really replenish her system from being deprived while brooding.

 

[Luvs chickens]

My hens chicks are 5 weeks old and she isn't laying yet. I have had others and they have not started to lay until after 2-3 weeks after their chicks are on their own.

 

[lauralou]

Mine usually start laying again about 4 to 6 weeks after the chicks hatch.

 

[Bantimna]

Quote:
hellloooooo..... how is yah???? a broody will start to lay after about 3-4 weeks-she needs to really replenish her system from being deprived while brooding.

Thanks everyone.

Natalie- go check your Don't you feel so lonely when you don't have PM's waiting for you post I've knocked on ya'll door.

 

[Bantimna]

Quote:
So mother hens are dedicated mothers? And are willing to do their best for their chicks, right?

 

[RainbowBirds_of_a_Feather]

In the past I had a Feral Game Roo take care of the chicks at about 5 weeks old while the hen laid again. But the mother hen would aid in care till she got broody again. I have also noticed first time broodies tend to brood longer. But tend to have a cut off date of care in later clutches. Also the time of the year may also dictate the care cycle. But it also the breed also may be a factor.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Quote:
Each hen is a living individual with their own personality and instincts. I will not say that each and every one of the many millions of hens on this planet will be a dedicated mother if she goes broody, but I feel safe saying that almost every one that goes broody will be a very dedicated mother. Breed may be a factor. You've been around this forum enough to see the occasional post where a hen did not take good care of her chicks, especially first time broodies. They occasionally abandon the nest before the eggs hatch, may kill their own chicks, may abandon their chicks before they can take care of themselves, or will not defend their chicks from other chickens or animals. I grew up on a farm with a flock of free ranging mutt chickens and never saw any of this bad behavior. The hens we had took extremely good care of their chicks.

I cannot guarantee that you will not get a bad broody, but I do think that if you give Mama enough room to work and take care of her chicks, it is highly probable she will do an extremely good job. You will be amazed at her dedication. If you crowd her into a small space where she does not have enough room to take care of her chicks, problems are more likely to develop.