They started laying about 2 weeks ago, and we have a rooster. I've left some eggs to encourage broodiness. 2 of the hens come in, look at me, move eggs around and make a low funny noise, but no setting. Is this pre-broody?
Sounds like they are definetely interested!!! Seems like they want around fifteen eggs in the nest to really go broody...I am doing the same thing now and several are sitting in there for long time, but nobody's eyes have glazed over yet...bummer...good luck to you and me!
We have year old sex-links from the last years 4-H Pullet chain. They were hatched last April, began to lay late July/August and the first one went broody in March. I might also say the only one. From my research, broodyness is more prominant in some breeds than others and one thread I read said that the hen goes broody "whenever the voices in her head tell her too." I thought that was pretty accurate.