Broody Hens: How Often Do They Go Broody?

The frequency with which a chicken goes broody depends on a variety of factors, including breed, individual temperament, and environmental conditions. While some hens may never exhibit broody behaviour, others might go broody multiple times a year. Breeds with strong maternal instincts, like Silkies and Cochins, are more prone to frequent broodiness, potentially going broody several times within a year. Environmental factors such as the season, daylight hours, and nesting conditions can also play a role, with hens more commonly becoming broody in the spring and early summer. Additionally, hens that were raised by broody mothers may be more likely to display broody behaviour themselves.

Broodiness is triggered by hormones, daylight, and the availability of eggs

The number of times a chicken goes broody in a year depends on a variety of factors, including breed, individual temperament, and environmental conditions. While some hens may never exhibit broody behaviour, others might go broody multiple times a year. For example, breeds with strong maternal instincts, like Silkies and Cochins, frequently go broody, sometimes several times a year.

Broodiness is triggered by a combination of hormones, daylight, and the availability of eggs. Prolactin, a pituitary hormone, plays a crucial role in the onset of broodiness in hens. An increase in prolactin levels inhibits the production of gonadotropin, which stimulates ovarian follicles (what eggs are made from). This hormonal change causes hens to stop laying eggs and start exhibiting broody behaviour, such as sitting on eggs and plucking out their feathers to create a brood patch for better skin-to-egg contact and warmth.

Environmental factors, such as daylight hours and nesting conditions, also influence broodiness. Hens are more likely to go broody in the spring and early summer when there are longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures. The presence of eggs in the nest can further trigger broodiness, as hens may feel the urge to incubate them. Additionally, reducing a hen's exposure to light and providing comfortable nesting areas can encourage broodiness.

On the other hand, some strategies can be employed to discourage broodiness. These include limiting nesting materials, providing a cool environment, and offering cold treats to lower the hen's body temperature and disrupt the hormonal cues that trigger broodiness.

While broodiness is a natural behaviour for some chicken breeds, it is important to monitor their health and well-being during this time. A broody hen may neglect her own needs, leading to weight loss, dehydration, and other negative impacts on her health.

Some breeds are more prone to broodiness than others

The frequency of broodiness in hens can vary depending on the breed, temperament, and environmental conditions. Some hens may never exhibit broody behaviour, while others might go broody multiple times a year. Generally, breeds with strong maternal instincts, like Silkies, are more prone to frequent broodiness, potentially going broody several times a year. Other breeds that have been known to go broody include Cochins, Australorps, Brahmas, Faverolles, Orpingtons, Plymouth Rocks, Sussex, and Wyandottes.

Bantams are also very prone to broodiness, although due to their small size, they can only hatch a few chicks. Game chickens are another breed that frequently goes broody, but their excitability and nervousness can lead to broken eggs or squished chicks. Cubalayas, Shamo, and Shamo/Sumatra crosses are also known for their broodiness.

Environmental factors, such as the season, daylight hours, and nesting conditions, can also influence broodiness. For example, it is common for hens to become more broody in the spring and early summer, aligning with their natural reproductive cycles. Additionally, keeping hens in dark places with warm temperatures and access to vocalising orphan chicks can induce broodiness, even in breeds that typically do not exhibit this behaviour.

Genetics and hormones also play a role in broodiness. Prolactin, a hormone, increases in hens when they go broody, leading to changes in behaviour and physiology, such as a decrease in feeding and drinking. Commercial egg-laying chickens and meat-producing breeds have been selectively bred to reduce broodiness, as it is seen as an impediment to egg and poultry meat production.

Overall, while some breeds are more prone to broodiness than others, a variety of factors influence this behaviour in hens.

A hen that was mothered herself seems to know how to mother

A hen that has been mothered well will often go on to be a good mother herself. This is because she has learned mothering behaviours from her own mother and will instinctively know how to care for her chicks.

Hens that have been reared by a broody hen will often become broody themselves. They learn the art of mothering by observing their own mothers and will replicate these behaviours when they become broody. This includes behaviours such as clucking to call her chicks over, gently nudging them with her beak, and using her wings to cover them and keep them warm.

A hen that has been mothered herself will also be more likely to know how to be gentle and nurturing. She will understand the importance of keeping her chicks warm, safe, and well-fed. She will also likely be patient and tolerant of her chicks' behaviour, as she will remember her own childhood and the things her mother did for her.

Additionally, a hen that has been mothered may also have learned some vital survival skills from her mother. For example, she may have learned to recognise dangerous predators and how to avoid them or learned about the best food sources to keep her chicks healthy.

Overall, a hen that has been mothered herself will have a good role model to follow when becoming a mother. Her experiences of being mothered will help her know how to care for and nurture her chicks, and she will pass on these vital behaviours and skills to future generations.

Broody hens can be a problem if you want eggs for consumption

Additionally, broody hens can inspire other hens in the flock to follow suit, further reducing egg yield. To prevent this, it is important to separate a broody hen from the rest of the flock. You can do this by placing her in a dog kennel or cage with food and water, or by removing all nesting materials from the coop to discourage nesting behaviour. Another method is to cool down the hen's body temperature by slipping ice cubes under her a few times a day or dunking her underside in cool water, making her "nest" less desirable.

The frequency of broodiness in hens varies depending on breed, temperament, and environmental factors. Breeds with strong maternal instincts, such as Silkies, Cochins, and Buff Orpingtons, are more prone to frequent broodiness, potentially going broody multiple times a year. On the other hand, some breeds, like Legbars and Barred Rocks, rarely exhibit broody behaviour. Age also plays a role, as younger hens are less likely to go broody during their first laying season.

If you want to discourage broodiness in your hens, it is important to provide them with ample foraging opportunities and enhance their surroundings. You can scatter their favourite treats around the area to encourage them to move around and engage in natural behaviours like foraging. Additionally, ensure that food and water are easily accessible, especially during hot summers, to maintain the health and productivity of your hens.

There are ways to break a broody hen's behaviour

The frequency of broodiness in hens can vary depending on the breed, individual temperament, and environmental conditions. Some hens may never exhibit broody behaviour, while others might go broody multiple times a year. For instance, breeds with strong maternal instincts, like Silkies and Cochins, are more prone to frequent broodiness, potentially going broody several times within a year.

Broodiness is caused by an influx of the hormone prolactin in hens. This makes them want to sit on eggs and pluck out their feathers. While broody, a hen will not take care of herself as she normally would, which can lead to health issues. Therefore, it is important to break the cycle as soon as you notice broody behaviour. Here are some ways to break a broody hen's behaviour:

Collect Eggs Frequently

A broody hen will try to gather a "clutch" of eggs, even collecting them from other hens. By collecting eggs throughout the day, you can discourage her from settling on them. It is important to collect all the eggs and not leave any sitting in the nest, as this can trigger the urge to brood them.

Move Her from the Nesting Area

Gently remove the hen from the nesting area and take her outside to the chicken run or yard. Offer her some chicken-safe treats to help her get some calories, which can also act as a distraction. You may need to repeat this process several times a day for several days until she gets the hint.

Increase Foraging Opportunities

Broody hens often spend most of their time sitting and less time engaging in natural behaviours like foraging. By scattering her favourite treats around the area, you can encourage her to get up and move around, taking an interest in her surroundings.

Cool Her Down

Some people slip a few ice cubes under a broody hen a couple of times a day, or dunk her underside in a shallow dish of cool water, to cool her body temperature and make her "nest" undesirable. However, do not give your hen a cold-water bath, as this is considered inhumane.

Use a Wire-Bottom Cage

Using a wire-bottom cage can help break a broody hen's behaviour. This method works by making the hen's nest uncomfortable.

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