Sophie Bennett
Broody hens are those that want their eggs to hatch and will sit on their nests all day and night to make this happen. Some chicken breeds are more inclined to broodiness than others, such as Silkies, Cochins, Australorps, Buff Orpingtons, Light Brahmas, and Sussex. These breeds are known for their strong mothering instincts and are more likely to exhibit broodiness. On the other hand, flighty breeds like Mediterranean breeds and hybrid commercial layers rarely go broody. If you're looking to sustain your own flock, choosing breeds with a propensity for broodiness can be beneficial. However, if egg production is your main focus, you may want to avoid these breeds as their desire to hatch chicks can lead to a decrease in egg-laying.
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What You'll Learn
Breeds that are good mothers
While there is no exact science to what makes a hen go broody, it is a combination of hormones, instinct, maturity, and lighting conditions. Broody hens are characterised by their fierce protectiveness of their nests, and they will growl, shriek, puff out their feathers, and peck at intruders. They will also abandon their roost and stay in their nests all day and night, only leaving briefly once or twice a day to eat, drink, and relieve themselves.
Some chicken breeds are more inclined to broodiness than others. Silkies, for example, are known to be perpetual contenders for the "Broody Mother of the Year Award". Other breeds that are likely to exhibit broodiness include Cochins, Australorps, Buff Orpingtons, Light Brahmas, and Sussex. These breeds are good choices for those looking to sustain their own flock as broodiness is considered a positive trait in these circumstances.
On the other hand, flighty breeds that are excellent layers rarely go broody. These include Mediterranean breeds like Leghorn and Ancona, as well as hybrid commercial layers like ISA Browns.
It is important to note that not every hen will become broody in her lifetime, and some hens may abandon their nests or harm their chicks. Additionally, broodiness can have negative health consequences for the hen if it continues beyond three weeks, so it is important to monitor their behaviour and take appropriate action if needed.
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Nesting boxes
While it's difficult to predict which chickens will take to nesting, some breeds are more inclined to brood than others. Silkies, Cochins, and Australorps, for example, are known for their broodiness.
Regardless of breed, a hen that is committed to hatching chicks is known as a "broody". Broody hens will sit on their eggs all day and night, only briefly leaving once or twice a day to eat, drink, and relieve themselves. Broody hens are protective of their nests and will squawk, peck, and bite at intruders.
To accommodate broody hens, it's important to provide nesting boxes that are dark, comfortable, and secluded. Nesting boxes should be positioned away from windows to maintain a level of darkness and big enough for chickens to turn around in, measuring about 12 to 16 inches square, depending on the breed. Hay or straw is preferred over wood shavings as nesting material, as it's easier to keep clean and seems to make the hens happy.
If you have limited space, nesting boxes can be stacked vertically or placed on opposite sides of the coop. They can also be placed close to or on the ground, although this will require bending down to retrieve the eggs. It's recommended to have one nesting box for every two to three hens, although providing one box for every four hens can still work.
While some hens will take to the nesting boxes, others may choose to lay their eggs in alternative locations, such as on the floor of the coop or in hidden spots outside the coop. Ultimately, the most important factor for hens is that they feel safe and comfortable when nesting.
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How to spot a broody hen
While there is no exact science to what makes a hen go broody, it is a combination of hormones, instinct, maturity, and lighting conditions. Broody hens are characterised by their strong maternal instinct to hatch eggs, regardless of whether they are fertilised or not.
- She will sit on her nest all day and night, only leaving it briefly once or twice a day to eat, drink, and relieve herself.
- She will become very territorial over her nest, puffing out her feathers and squawking or growling at any intruder that comes close.
- She may peck or try to bite you if you try to move her or check for eggs underneath her.
- Her chest and belly feathers may be missing as she plucks them out to expose the warmth and moisture of her skin directly to her eggs.
- She will produce less waste, with her poop being unusually large and foul-smelling.
- She will eat and drink much less than usual, causing her to lose weight and her comb and feathers to lose their sheen.
- She will cluck softly to her chicks as they get close to hatch day.
If you do not want your hen to be broody, there are several methods you can try to break her broodiness. However, it is important to note that some breeds, such as Silkies, Cochins, Orpingtons, and Australorps, may be more difficult to break out of their broodiness.
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Encouraging a hen to leave the nest
A hen that is committed to hatching chicks is known as a "broody". Broody hens are characterised by their refusal to leave the nest, even at night, and their territorial behaviour towards other chickens that try to get near the nest. This behaviour is driven by a combination of the hen's hormones, instinct, maturity, and lighting conditions.
If you are trying to encourage a broody hen to leave the nest, there are several methods you can try. Firstly, it is important to collect eggs frequently. Broody hens try to gather a "clutch" of eggs, so by removing eggs from the nest throughout the day, you can discourage the hen from settling on them. Secondly, you can try cooling the nesting spot. Placing a frozen water bottle or other objects, such as a bucket, in the nest can make it less comfortable for the hen and discourage her from returning. Additionally, you can try to encourage the hen to move by locking her out of the coop during the day, as long as the weather is safe to do so. Consistency is key when dealing with broody hens, and removing them from the nest may take several days and multiple attempts.
It is worth noting that some chicken breeds are more prone to broodiness than others. For example, Silkies, Cochins, Australorps, and Buff Orpingtons are known for their strong maternal instincts, while Barred Rocks, Leghorns, Legbars, Rhode Island Reds, and Barnvelders are less likely to exhibit broody behaviour.
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What to do with fertilised eggs
Silkies, Cochins, and Australorps are some of the chicken breeds that are more inclined to brood. Broody hens are protective of their nests and will sit on their eggs all day, leaving only once or twice a day to eat, drink, and relieve themselves. If you want to facilitate egg-hatching, you can provide a broody hen with fertilized eggs to sit on.
If you have fertilized eggs and do not want chicks, there are several options to consider:
Incubate and Donate
If you have the time and resources, you can incubate the fertilized eggs and donate the hatched chicks to a local rescue organization or farm. This option allows the eggs to develop and find a home without contributing to overpopulation.
Give Them Away
You can give away the fertilized eggs to someone who is looking to hatch chicks. This way, you pass on the responsibility to someone who wants to care for the eggs and raise the chicks.
Freeze or Refrigerate
Freezing or refrigerating fertilized eggs will stop their development. This method may be suitable if you want to preserve the eggs for future incubation or consumption.
Dummy Eggs
If you want to prevent your bird from continuously laying eggs, you can replace the fertilized eggs with dummy eggs. Dummy eggs are made from materials like gypsum, plastic, or rubber, and they satisfy the bird's instinct to sit on eggs without the risk of spoilage.
Dispose of the Eggs
If you choose to dispose of the fertilized eggs, be aware that eggs can spoil quickly, producing a pungent sulfur smell and becoming a health hazard. If you decide to throw them away, do so responsibly and promptly.
Remember, the decision on what to do with fertilized eggs depends on your personal circumstances, beliefs, and comfort level. Each option has its advantages and considerations, so choose the one that aligns best with your values and situation.
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Frequently asked questions
It means that she has maternal instincts and wants to be a mother. She will sit on her eggs all day long in an attempt to hatch them.
Chicken breeds that are most likely to exhibit broodiness include Silkies, Cochins, Buff Orpingtons, Light Brahmas, Sussex, and Pekins.
You can stop a broody hen by removing her from her nest, using a frozen water bottle, removing nesting material, separating her in a cage, or giving her some fertile eggs to sit on.
The signs of a broody hen include pale wattles and a pale comb, missing belly or chest feathers, and refusing to leave the eggs. She may also peck your hand if you try to move her.
If you have a broody hen, you can either let her hatch some chicks with fertilized eggs or persistently and consistently remove her from the nest and gather the eggs frequently.
