Signs of Broody Hen?

[MrsFordTN]

I went out tonight to make sure everyone was roosting in the coop and our Game Hen was setting in the nest box. She already layed this morning. We have been leaving her eggs out for her, haha just 2 plus 3 from our other girls, hoping she would. She couldn't be going broody already could she?

What are the signs of broodiness?

 

[abqferreira]

They start making a weird clucking noise, won't leave the box, and obsessively collect all the eggs under them that they can find! My broody has pulled the wood shavings in the box around her in a nest, and sometimes they will pull out their breast feathers to line the nest. Some will become aggressive and/or agitated when you disturb them.

 

[Suechick]

How fun for you!!
I have 2 right now. They fluff their feathers up to make themselves look twice as big as they really are.

they don't make the normal vocalizations any more but have strange squawking sounds in addition to clucking over the eggs. The first few days they only sat on the nest for a few hours, but after the 3rd day or so they just stay in the nest almost all the time. If they haven't gotten off the eggs in a couple of days I take them off so they have a chance to poop, eat, and drink.

I hope she stays on those eggs for you!!

 

[MrsFordTN]

Well, IDK if I can confirm it yet, she is still young. I, also, thought that they waited until they had more eggs? I mean I don't mind her hatching them, if needed we can find them new homes. But, I have never seen it, minus an OEG Bantam my grandfather has that will defend her chicks to the death. She is a nasty tiny hen.