Uh oh...I've not yet experienced a broody!

[Cryss]

But I think I am now!
Is this what broody looks like?

 

[itspebbl]

Yep, looks like you have a broody on your hands. If she stays in the box overnight, then you will know for sure.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

Yep, looks like you have a broody on your hands. If she stays in the box overnight, then you will know for sure.

x2!

 

[Pork Pie]

Agreed.
These links may be of interest

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/4...ody-hen-hatch-a-long-and-informational-thread


http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/496101/broody-hen-thread


http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/guide-to-letting-broody-hens-hatch-and-raise-chicks


http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/181289/how-to-break-a-broody-hen

 

[MROO]

If you're happy with a broody, and there are other hens around, you may want to pencil-mark her eggs. That way, you can tell if she's stealing eggs from her girlfriends' nests.
I wish I'd done that sooner. My bantam broody's five turned into nine - and I have no idea which ones are which. This is her first clutch, so I have no idea what she'll do when the early ones hatch. They're spread out over most of a week. Any clues?

 

[Cryss]

I have a conundrum. I have my 2 young Barred Rock pullets in the dog cage ready to come out that I was hoping to keep in a couple more weeks while we made some needed extensions. If I want to break Nugget from her broodiness I'd put her in that dog cage without a tray, just the wire bottom so as to cool her. (Right?) If I were to let her sit I probably should move her into the cage but with the tray in place. So that's part one of the decision ihave ti make. To brood or not to brood.
But wait, there's more. Since starting this venture last November I played with an attractive idea. If I had a broody early in the summer I'd ask my breeder if he had any fertile eggs of a few (3?) breeds I have my heart set on. I'd let my broody do the raising. And here I have a perfect broody, an Orpington. Timing is slightly unfortunate. I'm extending the run next week then I'm building an 8x10 coop out of pallets. Obviously I will be hard pressed to get said coop in place fast.
Back to the beginning of my conundrum. If I release my Barred Rock will Nugget be nasty if they spend 1 night together? Rocks are 12 weeks old, more than old enough I know. I delayed integration in hope's I'd get the run done first. I think I'll go now and sit with them while they run free for awhile in the run with the flock.
I guess I'm just in shock at Nugget going broody. Wasn't ready for that emotionally. Emotionally? Sheesh! I must be crazy.
OH WOW! I just had to stop typing to sign for my UPS delivery of hardware cloth and hog rings and pliers! Talk about timing! I can start the run this week! Maybe tonight!.
Ok....ramble ramble ramble....one more question. Do pullets go broody without a rooster? I have a cockerel but I don't think he's ever gotten lucky AND he's got some balance issues that seem to make him unable to accomplish the task. Not saying its impossible, just seems unlikely.

 

[Chickassan]

Yep they go broody man or no man lol! And if she's full broody she won't be nasty to the barred rocks until she hatches babies "then she'll be awful to everybody" until then she'll just puff and make racket.

 

[CSAchook]

Do pullets go broody without a rooster? I have a cockerel but I don't think he's ever gotten lucky AND he's got some balance issues that seem to make him unable to accomplish the task. Not saying its impossible, just seems unlikely.

Absolutely! I only have four one-year old hens (no rooster) and so far this year two have gone broody. One I broke right away by putting her in an elevated, wire bottom dog crate for two days. The other is still mothering three five-week old chicks she hatched (obviously I had to buy the eggs from someone else). Good luck whatever you decide to do. The links pork pie ken posted are all very good ones

 

[Cryss]

FALSE ALARM. She broke her own broodiness. I went out with a toy in hand (plastic bottle, scratch inside, holes poked) intending to use it to entertain the current flock as I released the BR. And there she was, a-scratchin' an a-grinnin'. Nugget had been growling at me from the nest for at least 3 hours, no idea how long before that. I grabbed the eggs and ran!
Now I'm really curious if I can do this when she gets serious!

 

[MROO]

My Pepper - a Nankin Bantam - went broody last month. She lasted two days before meeting us at the coop door to go outside. I was SO disappointed! Pepper has been on her second batch, some of her own and a few "borrowed" from her sisters, for a week. I am beginning to get guardedly optimistic. She's holding up some much=needed coop modifications, but I'm afraid to move her!