/ Register


  1. Come check out hundreds of awesome coop pages (and a few that need suggestions) in our 2018 Coop Rating Project!

Will a retired hen sit on eggs?

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by joneus, Dec 12, 2011.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Dec 12, 2011 #1
    joneus

    joneus Songster

    344
    4
    116
    Apr 2, 2011
    Ballston Spa
    I'm just curious.

    My mom asked me what I plan on doing with my hens once they stop laying & it got me thinking, because I honestly dont know. I tried to avoid it, but they became my pets, and now I cant even think about eating them, LOL!

    Anyhow- I would think that they'd lose their hormones along with their eggs, and thus not be interested in sitting, but I could be wrong.
     

  4. Dec 14, 2011 #2
    kuntrygirl

    kuntrygirl Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

    22,031
    655
    461
    Feb 20, 2008
    Opelousas, Louisiana
    I have some retired hens and they have never sat on eggs. [​IMG]
     
  6. Dec 14, 2011 #3
    aoxa

    aoxa Crowing

    19,041
    1,067
    388
    Aug 8, 2011
    Shediac Cape NB, Canada
    My Coop
    Some do. Some don't. From what I've read, a good broody is worth keeping for a lifetime.
     
  8. Dec 14, 2011 #4
    sourland

    sourland Broody Magician Premium Member

    73,367
    46,096
    1,407
    May 3, 2009
    New Jersey
    Depends greatly upon the breed and past broody history.
     
  10. Dec 15, 2011 #5
    chookhead

    chookhead Songster

    327
    4
    121
    Sep 7, 2011
    broodynes comes b4 a moult by a month usually and while the mother is raising chicks she moults that wat happens usually fi they dont broody in 5 yrs they wont broody like ever lol
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by