what does it mean to go broody?

[Danooj]

Hey, i was wondering, what they do?, when?, why?, where? and do you need a male ?

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

A broody hen will start sitting either on eggs, or in an empty nest box, she won't want to get out of that nest for much of anything. She may fluff up, growl, or even peck at you if you try to look under her or move her.

They go broody if, when, and where THEY feel like it, and some never do. You do not need a male for a hen to go broody.

 

[Judy]

all about broodies:

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

No, you don't need a male, it is a hormonal thing.

 

[Danooj]

How long are they broody for?

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
Until they either hatch some chicks or they give up.

Some people put fertile eggs under their broodies(if they don't have a rooster of their own, they buy the eggs) and some people "break" the broody out of the mood. Some folks even buy chicks and put them under her.

 

[write2caroline]

I guess you really only need a rooster when you want your girls to hatch chicks from their own eggs. My roosters are also very good at protecting my girls....too good as they also attack my Mom when she visits and anyone they don't know in the run.
Caroline

 

[tinychicky]

roosters can be nice if they're handled a lot as chicks, though.

some of the best brrodies are silkie crosses

by the way,

 

[StephanieD]

I have a broody silkie! And for two weeks I thought she was egg-bound. Treated her like an egg-bound hen...lol. So I figured out she's broody, thanks everyone for helping me to do that here! Saturday I purchased 6 fertile eggs and placed them under her. Today (Monday) one has hatched so far!!! Let the fun begin!

 

[Pinky]

Here is one of my broodies, to give you an idea of what they look like:

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

here's one of mine all fluffed up and squished into the corner of her nest box. You'll know it when you see it.