Broody hens are a common sight in the world of chicken keeping. Nearly all poultry keepers will experience this behavior at some point within their small flock. But what exactly happens when your sweet hen suddenly turns into a broody girl? Keep reading!
I'm going to tell you everything you need to know, from what does broody mean in chickens to how to encourage (and discourage!) this behavior in your backyard chickens. We will also go over which chickens make the best mothers, how a chick grows inside an egg and how to care for the chicks once they hatch.
Pictured below is our mama hen, affectionately named Broody Judy. She successfully hatched and raised six chicks last August. Broody Judy is an Ameracauna hen, and her clutch of eggs was an assortment from all of the hens in our flock. The rooster who fertilized the eggs was a maran-mix, and her chicks were a barnyard mix of breeds.
Jump to:
- What Does Broody Mean in Chickens?
- When do chickens go broody?
- Signs of Broodiness
- Why Do Chickens Become Broody?
- Which Chicken Breeds Make Good Mothers?
- Broody Breaker Methods
- What Eggs Can Be Hatched?
- What are common health concerns with broody behavior?
- What Happens When a Hen Sits on Eggs?
- Raising Chicks
- Is it Possible to Make a Hen Go Broody?
- Thanks for reading about what does broody mean in chickens!
- More stories about backyard chickens
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What Does Broody Mean in Chickens?
The term broody means a state of behavior exhibited by female chickens, known as hens. A broody hen has a strong desire to sit on a clutch of eggs. She will incubate the eggs with the intention of hatching chicks. A broody hen may become very focused on her nest, spending extended periods sitting on the eggs and exhibiting protective behavior.
This behavior is driven by hormonal changes and maternal instincts, prompting the hen to create a warm and nurturing environment for the eggs to hatch. This natural instinct can occur in both an old or young hen, and may happen in all egg-laying hens.
Our first clue that a hen has gone broody is usually an agitated hen who gets flustered and confrontational when we are trying to gather the daily eggs.
When do chickens go broody?
While broodiness is more common in the spring and summer, it can also occur at other times of the year, depending on environmental conditions and individual hen behavior. Factors such as genetics, breed tendencies, and environmental cues can influence when a chicken goes broody. We are currently letting a broody hen sit on a clutch of eggs as I'm writing this, mid February.
Temperature can play a role in triggering broodiness, as warmer weather encourages hormonal changes that stimulate the brooding instinct in hens. However, other factors such as daylight length, availability of nesting sites, and social dynamics within the flock also contribute to broodiness.
Signs of Broodiness
Recognizing broody behavior is essential for chicken owners. Your hen may spend extended periods in the nesting boxes, fluffing up her breast feathers, and exhibiting protective behaviors over her nest.
Our broody hens become very territorial and confrontational when we try to gather the eggs. Additionally, her body temperature may rise, and she may produce what's affectionately known as "broody poop." I find that we have to clean the nesting boxes. more frequently and replace the aspen nesting pads more often during a broody phase.
Why Do Chickens Become Broody?
Broodiness can be influenced by various factors, including genetics, environmental cues, and the time of year. During the warm summer months, hens are more prone to broodiness due to their maternal instincts kicking in. Certain breeds, such as Speckled Sussex and Plymouth Rocks, are known for their broody tendencies.
We have had several hens 'go broody' over the years in our backyard flock, and they are generally bantam mixes or ameracauna breeds.
Which Chicken Breeds Make Good Mothers?
Several breeds of hens are known for their excellent maternal instincts and nurturing qualities. I'm casually adding amercaunas to this list, based on my own experience. The following breeds are known to have strong maternal instincts and are thought of to be better mothers who often successfully hatch baby chicks:
- Buff Orpington hens are renowned for their gentle nature and excellent mothering skills. They are attentive and protective mothers, diligently caring for their chicks from hatching to maturity.
- Plymouth Rock hens are known for their calm demeanor and strong maternal instincts. They make devoted mothers, providing warmth, guidance, and protection to their chick
- Silkie hens are famous for their fluffy feathers and maternal instincts. Despite their small size, they make excellent mothers, often adopting orphaned chicks and caring for them as their own. Our silkies lay eggs fertilized by our maran rooster, and they make the most beautiful chicks that lay olive and gray toned eggs!
- Australorp are known for their friendly temperament and reliable brooding abilities. They are attentive mothers, ensuring the well-being of their chicks from birth to adulthood.
- Sussex hens are gentle and reliable mothers, known for their nurturing nature and protective instincts. They excel at raising chicks, providing them with warmth, food, and guidance.
- Orpington hens are known for their calm and docile nature. They make excellent mothers, fiercely protecting their chicks and teaching them important survival skills.
- Brahmas hens are large and gentle birds with strong maternal instincts. They are attentive mothers, keeping their chicks warm and safe while imparting valuable lessons in foraging and socialization.
- Cochins hens are known for their maternal nature and fluffy appearance. They are dedicated mothers, providing warmth and protection to their chicks while teaching them essential skills.
Broody Breaker Methods
- Remove the Hen from the Nest: Gently lift the broody hen from her nest and place her in a separate area away from the nesting boxes. This disrupts her brooding behavior and can help break the cycle.
- Provide a Wire Bottomed Cage: Placing the broody hen in a wire-bottomed cage or crate prevents her from sitting comfortably and keeps her away from the nesting area. Ensure the cage is elevated to allow airflow and prevent overheating.
- Limit Nesting Material: Remove excess nesting material from the nesting boxes to make them less inviting for brooding. Without a comfortable nest, the hen may be less inclined to sit for extended periods.
- Provide a Cool Environment: Placing the broody hen in a cooler environment, such as a shaded area or a room with a fan, can help discourage broodiness. Cool temperatures can disrupt the hormonal cues that trigger broodiness.
- Offer Cold Treats: Treats like frozen fruits or vegetables can help lower the hen's body temperature and discourage broodiness. Additionally, offering cool water for the hen to drink can help reduce her body heat. Even putting ice cubes in the nest boxes can help the female chicken "cool" her broody hormones.
- Separate the Hen from the Flock: Placing the broody hen in a separate area away from the rest of the flock can help break her broody cycle. This reduces the stimulation that may be reinforcing her broodiness.
- Use the "Boomerang" Method: Temporarily remove the broody hen from the coop and reintroduce her after a few days. This interruption can disrupt her broody behavior and discourage further nesting.
What Eggs Can Be Hatched?
First, we need to determine if the hen is sitting on fertile eggs. We assume the eggs on our homestead are fertile because we have a rooster. Roosters tend to take their job very seriously!
You can also purchase fertilized eggs (called hatching eggs) from a hatchery or a neighbor. If you do not have a rooster, your eggs are not fertilized. Unfertilized eggs will never hatch, even with a broody and determined mama.
A broody mama hen will hatch any eggs in her nest, even if they are not her own. We hatch groups of 6 or 12 eggs. The designated eggs are marked so that we know which ones are incubating, and which need collected daily.
A funny quirk of most hens is that they can't resist sneaking their new eggs into the nesting box being hatched. It's crazy, but they always try! It's a good idea to mark the incubating eggs so that you don't end up with several chicks hatching at once, and then have remaining unhatched eggs in various stages of incubation. It really complicates things!
What are common health concerns with broody behavior?
There can be health concerns associated with broody behavior in chickens, particularly if it is prolonged or extreme. We have only experienced weight loss and dehydration from our broody hens. Potential health issues that may arise from broodiness include:
- Weight Loss: Broody hens may neglect their own nutritional needs while sitting on the nest, leading to weight loss and reduced overall health.
- Dehydration: Hens may be reluctant to leave the nest to drink water, increasing the risk of dehydration, especially in hot weather.
- Poor Feather Condition: Extended periods of brooding can result in poor feather condition, as the hen may neglect grooming herself while focused on incubating eggs.
- Muscle Atrophy: Lack of movement and prolonged sitting can lead to muscle atrophy in broody hens, affecting their mobility and overall fitness.
- Egg Binding: Broody hens are at a higher risk of developing egg binding, a condition where an egg becomes stuck in the reproductive tract. This can be a life-threatening emergency if not promptly addressed.
- Parasite Infestation: Hens spending long periods on the nest may be more susceptible to parasite infestations, such as mites and lice, due to decreased grooming and movement.
To mitigate these health concerns, it's essential to monitor broody hens closely and take appropriate measures to ensure their well-being. If health issues arise, consulting with a veterinarian experienced in poultry care is recommended for proper diagnosis and treatment.
What Happens When a Hen Sits on Eggs?
The broody hen keeps the eggs warm in the nesting box during the incubation period, which helps the embryo develop.
Inside the egg, the embryo uses the nutrients from the yolk for growth while the egg white protects it. Blood vessels form to supply oxygen and nutrients to the embryo, and its heart starts beating.
Around day 21, the chick starts to break through the eggshell. This process is called pipping, and eventually hatches with the help of the broody hen. This marks the beginning of the chick's life outside the egg.
Below is Broody Judy on the day her eggs began hatching. If you look close, you can see 4 of the 6 chicks!
Raising Chicks
If you decide to let your broody hen hatch her eggs, providing a safe and cozy nesting area is crucial. We keep ours in the coop with the flock, but in a designated area.
The mother hen will teach her chicks essential skills, such as foraging for food and avoiding predators.
Sometimes, other hens in the flock may be aggressive towards the chicks, so separating them temporarily may be necessary.
Chicks sleep close to their mother, often snuggling under her wings for warmth and security. Providing a separate nesting area within the coop where the mother hen and her chicks can rest undisturbed is ideal.
As for food, chicks can eat chick starter feed, which is specially formulated to meet their nutritional needs. They may also peck at the same food their mother eats. As they grow, the chicks will gradually transition to a diet similar to the adult hens.
The mother hen's role is crucial during the early stages of the chicks' lives. She will keep them warm, guide them to food and water, and protect them from potential threats.
Is it Possible to Make a Hen Go Broody?
While you can't directly induce broodiness in hens, certain strategies may encourage it. Providing comfortable nesting areas with ample bedding, allowing broody hens to remain in the coop with their chicks as role models. Selecting breeds known for their broodiness, and mimicking natural conditions such as increasing daylight hours and warmer temperatures can potentially trigger broodiness in some hens.
Additionally, introducing fertile eggs into the nesting boxes may prompt broody behavior in certain individuals. However, it's important to recognize that broodiness is a natural behavior influenced by various factors, and not all hens will go broody even with these stimuli.
Thanks for reading about what does broody mean in chickens!
Now that you have a thorough understanding of what does broody mean in chickens, you are all set to manage this behavior in your own flock! Understanding and managing broodiness is a vital aspect of chicken keeping. While it may disrupt egg production temporarily, having a broody hen can be a rewarding experience! Nature is so cool, and hatching chicks is an incredible experience to share with your children.
If you are new to backyard chickens, feel free to look around! From raising meat birds to making fermented chicken feed, I've got you covered! Click here to go to my category page that's packed full of chicken content!
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