When do hens go broody?

[Batty about Banties]

I have had my hens for about a year but none of them seem to want to "sit." I have a rooster, I would love to have them hatch some eggs....any advice?

 

[Illia]

Are yours from a hatchery? What breed are they? Most hatchery (even if you got it from a local neighbor or feedstore) bred hens are not broody because it has been bred out. The only breeds more likely to are Cochins and Silkies.

Otherwise, if you know and should expect one to go broody, I would say she may not by now. After 1 year old, if my girls haven't done it, they most likely never will. The seriously broody girls will begin just weeks after laying, the moderately broody ones will begin months before they turn a year old.

Who knows though, maybe you'll get a broody hen. . .

But if she's from a hatchery, and not well known to be broody, high chances are she never will be.

 

[Batty about Banties]

My little bantie has gone broody once but she is no longer with my standard hens....which I got at the feedstore. I did not know that the broodiness could be bred out, so if I want baby chicks I will need to incubate myself? Thanks for your reply.