Why do I have non-broody Hens /

[monathequeen]

Hey everyone,
My hen's are alittle over 2 years old now. I have eight hens and one BIG BAD Rooster who is pictured on my profile here. He humps the girls constantly but I dont think He finishes the act. It's on and off in a few seconds. I think he only gets on them to show dominance.

My girls will sit on the eggs for just a short time and then they leave the box to go play. I know that if they're indeed broody, they wont leave the box and will scream at you if you go near the eggs.
They have done this to me before so I left them alone.
So..........
I have left the eggs in the box to see if the hen will still be in there after a few hours and then only to find the box abandoned.
What is going on and will I ever get babies ?

Thanks for your input.

 

[Matt A NC]

What breeds?

A lot of Common breeds have had broodiness bred out of their bloodlines to make them better and more consistent layers.

Matt

 

[SpringChickens]

Chickens don't care if their eggs are fertile or not! They'll go broody with or without a roo, and the roo doesn't take long at all to do his business.

Matt is right on, breed matters most.

 

[monathequeen]

I have 2 RR, 2-white leghorns,2brown leg-leghorns,1-Welsummer,1-ameracauna. Rooster is inknown.

 

[monathequeen]

Quote:

 

[SangaChicken]

None of those are incredibly broody breeds. I know the Leghorns and RIR in particular are not.

As for it only taking a few seconds.. unfortunately or fortunately for the hens, depending on your perspective, it does only take a few seconds. They're not big on pillow talk.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Get a silkie or two. Not only will they go broody all the time, they will convince everybody else in the coop to be broody too!

None of my welsummers or EEs have ever gone broody. I count on my silkies to do the trick.

 

[monathequeen]

Thanks guy's and gal's,
I really dont want more birds, I thought it would be cool to have your own babies from your own hens that you have raised from two weeks old, and not store bought.
I'm just grateful that they're all happy and healthy. !!!
I spend all my spare time making sure of that. Thanks again

 

[GrannySue]

My old Hybrids never went broody, never molted. Shouldn't say never because they're still with me, retired after about 4 years.
I chalked it up to selective breeding - all the natural behaviour has been bred out of them.

 

[monathequeen]

OK,
Yesterday I went to change out the water and noticed my Ameracauna was not around. I checked the coop and she was sitting...I didn't disturb her and went on w/ my business..That evening, She was not on the roost but still sitting in the nesting box w/ eggs underneath from the daily batch. Again, I didn't bother her.

( but I chased a little tiny baby skunk out of the coop....He/She was so darn cute and was more afraid of me than I of her....She is now out of the coop and thank God she didn't spray and I don't have a clue how she got in.....anyway...)

This morning, she wasn't in the box and was out basking in the sun with her sisters...hummm..
So, now the other hen's, Thelma and Louise are fighting over the eggs in the box. One wants to sit in there and the other one is trying to knock her out of the box. What the heck is up with that ? I havn't a clue what to do with the eggs now. Are they still good to eat if I remove them or should I discard them ?
Anyone have any suggestions ???
Thanks..