Redinator's First Hatch-Along w Bonus Broody: And Everything Thereafter

[redinator]

@kattabelly Something I've wondered about, that you may know the answer to . . .

When a hen stops or decreases laying due to age, if they've been broody while they were younger, do the stop going broody as well?

 

[kattabelly]

@kattabelly Something I've wondered about, that you may know the answer to . . .

When a hen stops or decreases laying due to age, if they've been broody while they were younger, do the stop going broody as well?

Some hens might but not necessarily.

A breeder I know recently had an elderly hen, who only lays a few eggs a year, show up with three chicks one morning. She'd been trying to sit on other hens' eggs in the nest boxes and not been allowed, so eventually she must've either found another hen's hidden nest outdoors or moved some eggs outside herself.

Every chicken is different but ime older hens tend to be calmer and like a slower pace of life, so sitting on eggs and then clucking around with a few babies instead of getting involved in the rest of the flock's dramas probably suits them quite well if they're already experienced and like raising chicks.

 

[redinator]

I just recently realized most of the breeds I have range from 'likely' to 'don't leave an egg anywhere near them' in the broody department, lol.

I may have a broody colony on my hands come next spring. how that happened.

 

[ChickenChick46]

I just recently realized most of the breeds I have range from 'likely' to 'don't leave an egg anywhere near them' in the broody department, lol.

I may have a broody colony on my hands come next spring. how that happened.

Same. Now I just hope that not only are they broody, but good mothers. I would love to get to where I only had to add a bird here or there to keep the genetics in order and the flock takes care of the rest.

 

[redinator]

In about 30 mins I'll be checking if Sweety conceded and went to the larger run, or if she's being stubborn and staying in the small run. Wish me luck!

 

[redinator]

So I watched a bit from the landing while Sweety paced around in the small run trying to figure out what to do. I then watched her attempt to land on a roost bar that wasn't there anymore (my poor girl, I feel terrible)

I went to check on her and she immediately ran over clucking the whole way. I called her to follow me and walked her into the other run. She made a beeline for the chickhut once she saw it, with two chicks hot on her heels. Little Brownie got left behind so I scooped him (yes, another little cockerel) up and brought him to Mom.

Everyone is tucked in and safe in the larger run. The real question is, will she go in it willingly tomorrow night.