When does broodiness kick in?

[Newfarmer36]

I let my chickens out when I get up in the mornings on the weekends instead of keeping them locked in the coop until i get home from work on the weekdays. I have a bantam hen that just started laying last week. Yesterday I found her trying to lay an egg in my pig pen. I want to go let them out but I don't want my Bantam hen to go somewhere in the yard and start laying and going broody where I can't find her. Since she just started laying last week, can she go broody already? Or does it take some time for the hormones to kick in?

 

[sourland]

It varies depending upon the breed and individual within the breed. Some hens will lay a clutch then go broody - silkies, cochins, game fowl come to mind. Others will lay for significantly longer until the hormones kick in and they go broody. Others never go broody. Knowing your birds family history of broodiness is the best predictor of when she will go broody.

 

[Newfarmer36]

It varies depending upon the breed and individual within the breed. Some hens will lay a clutch then go broody - silkies, cochins, game fowl come to mind. Others will lay for significantly longer until the hormones kick in and they go broody. Others never go broody. Knowing your birds family history of broodiness is the best predictor of when she will go broody.

She's a silver laced Wyandotte Bantam. I'll call the lady I bought her from and ask.

 

[chickens really]

First you need to train them to lay in the nest boxes.Lock them in the Coop and Run for a few days till they learn to use the boxes..