questions about old hens

[Judy Todd]

I have a 9 year old frizzle who has not laid for at least a year or more. She is in retirement. She has always been the best broody mom in the world. My question, because she is not laying anymore, will she ever go broody again?

 

[boskelli1571]

It is possible! Sometimes old hens make the best broodys since they have done it all before.
That comes in handy when your youngsters decide they aren't sitting any longer....

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi Judy - I see you have already started a thread here on new members introductions. To optimise the number of responses, it's best to start a thread in the most relevant forum. For example, it would be here, for your question - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/managing-your-flock.2/
or here - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/chicken-behaviors-and-egglaying.18/

 

[junebuggena]

Brooding is triggered by hormones. If she is no longer producing the hormones for laying, she is not able to produce the hormones needed for brooding.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Wonderful you have such an old bird! You must be caring for her well. Yes, hormones are responsible for broodiness. I have a 7 year old Australorp that was continuously broody all her life. She probably didn't lay a dozen eggs over her first 6 years! Last year was a banner year for her, she stopped being broody and began layng again! Wow did she make up for all those years in eggs! . And while I do believe her days of being broody is over as well as her egg laying days, daily she peeks in the nest boxes longingly, she goes in, spins around a couple of times and comes out. Happens several times a day. She spent much of her life a broody in those boxes! BUT....no hint of broodiness in her.

Good luck with your old hen and welcome to our roost!

 

[sourland]

I have had non laying hens go broody, but generally they do not. I even had a mallard/Muscovy mule go broody. She made a nest beneath a lilac bush and was incubating 3 apples. I gave her fertile eggs which she hatched and mothered.

To answer your question, she will probably not go broody, but she may. This will be a great thread to update if she does go broody.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy Happyto have you join the family. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

 

[N F C]

I have very limited experience with broodys so it was fun to read about other's experience with them. You'll have to let us know if your little old lady decides she wants to sit, maybe you could stick a few fertile eggs under her!

 

[drumstick diva]

Maybe the hormones are gone but, she'd still want to grandmother some babies

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us