Will a chicken brood in winter?

[autumn11]

I have one chicken that has been missing for about three hours now. Speedy and Fancy (The rooster) have not been getting along the past three days or so. We have also noticed that we can't figure out where she's been laying her eggs the past few weeks, if she's laying at all. She seems to be healthy except for some reason she's growing new feather's on her head and neck (she is the only one). I'm hoping she could be brooding and not been carried off.

 

[Kittymomma]

It's not as common as spring and summer, but it does happen. Some hens just don't seem to care and will brood in a blizzard. What breed is she?

 

[gritsar]

I have three brooding right now.

Hope your girl is okay!

 

[autumn11]

unfortunately we don't know what we have. The place we gotthem from just had several breeds mixed together. We have figured out that the rooster is a rhode Island Red. We thnk she is a New Hampshire red.

Thanks for the confidence it is encouraging for now.

 

[WriterofWords]

They brood when they darn well feel like it human! My Frizzle girl was just caught with a clutch of eggs,, about 8,, they are all hers this time, I'm just wondering who the roo is and how long she's been there!

 

[autumn11]

oops. lol

 

[evhammond1200]

I think it depends on the chicken. I have a Buff Brahma who tries to brood all the time even now when its neg temps outside.

 

[autumn11]

I hope speedy is brooding

 

[autumn11]

I found Speedy this morning!!

Whoo Hoo! She was up on our front porch. I investigated the area and it looks like she's been there before however no sign of eggs or even a nest. Why is she going off by herself like this.

 

[WriterofWords]

She's scouting for a safe place to brood.