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Chickens, with their quirky behaviors and distinctive personalities, have a way of capturing the hearts of those who keep them. One fascinating aspect of chicken behavior is broodiness, an instinct that can have positive and challenging implications for backyard poultry enthusiasts. In this blog post, we will explore what it means when a chicken is broody, how to identify broodiness and essential care tips for broody hens.

What Does It Mean When a Chicken is Broody?

Broodiness is a natural maternal instinct in hens to incubate and hatch chicks. When a chicken is broody, she becomes highly protective of her nest, exhibiting specific behaviors due to hormonal changes.

This phase is often marked by the hen’s commitment to sitting on a clutch of eggs, regardless of if they are fertilized. During this period, the broody hen will spend extended periods on the nest only leaving once or twice a day to eat, drink, and relieve herself with a broody poop.

Broody poops are often characterized by being larger and smellier than typical chicken droppings. This is because the hen is holding onto her droppings while she is in the nest, and when she eventually gets up to eat, drink, or relieve herself, the accumulated droppings are expelled. The purpose of this behavior is to keep the nest clean for the developing eggs.

Identifying Broodiness

Recognizing broodiness in your hens is crucial for effective management. Here are some key signs that your chicken might be broody.

1. Persistent Nesting: Broody hens will spend an unusually long time in the nest, refusing to leave even for food or water.
2. Puffed Feathers and Hissing: Broody hens often puff up their feathers and emit hissing or growling sounds when approached, signaling their determination to protect the nest.
3. Changes in Comb Color: The comb and wattles of a broody hen may become more vibrant and swollen due to increased blood flow.
4. Staying Put: If you notice a hen sitting in the nesting box day and night, reluctant to join the flock or engage in normal activities, she may be broody.

Benefits of a Broody Hen

While some poultry keepers find broodiness to be a challenge, as it can disrupt egg production, there are also several benefits associated with having a broody hen.

1. Natural Incubation: Broody hens provide a natural and instinctive means of incubating eggs. This can be advantageous for those who want to hatch chicks without relying on artificial incubators or a brooder box.
2. Cost Savings: Using a broody hen for hatching chicks can save on the cost of purchasing an incubator and the associated electricity expenses. Broody hens require minimal intervention compared to artificial incubation.
3. Chick Care: Broody hens are generally good mothers. Once the eggs hatch, they provide warmth, protection, and guidance to the chicks. The mother hen teaches the young chicks important behaviors, such as foraging and avoiding predators. The first time I let a broody hen hatch her own chicks, it was so magical to watch.
4. Healthy Chicks: Chicks raised by a broody hen often experience lower stress levels and have a higher survival rate. The natural care provided by the hen contributes to the overall well-being of the new chicks.
5. Flock Dynamics: Allowing a hen to go broody and raise chicks can contribute to positive dynamics within the rest of the flock. It can also provide entertainment for other hens in the coop.
6. Broodiness as a Trait: Broodiness is a natural trait in some breeds of chickens. If you are interested in sustainable and self-reliant poultry keeping, selecting and breeding hens that exhibit broodiness can be an asset.
7. Less Labor-Intensive: While it’s important to provide proper care and ensure the safety of the broody hen and her chicks, the process can be less labor-intensive than managing an artificial incubation setup or raising baby chicks in a brooder.
8. Genetic Diversity: Allowing broody hens to hatch eggs contributes to genetic diversity within the flock. This can be important for maintaining the overall health and resilience of the chicken population.

It’s worth noting that not all chicken breeds exhibit strong broodiness, as certain breeds have been selectively bred for higher egg production and less inclination to go broody.

Top Broody Chicken Breeds

Here are some chicken breeds that are often recognized for their tendency to go broody.

1. Silkie: Silkies are known for their gentle nature and high broodiness. They make great mothers and are often used as a surrogate mother to hatch and care for eggs from other breeds.
2. Cochin: Cochins are large, fluffy birds that are known to be excellent brooders. They have a calm and friendly disposition, making them good mothers.
3. Buff Orpington: Buff Orpingtons are known for their docile temperament and broody tendencies. They are good setters and mothers.
4. Buff Brahma: Brahmas, particularly Buff Brahmas, are known for their motherly instincts. They are generally calm and friendly birds.
5. Sussex: Sussex chickens are known for their broody behavior, and they are also good foragers. They come in various colors, including white, red, and speckled.
6. Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock): Plymouth Rocks are dual-purpose birds, and some individuals within this breed can exhibit broodiness. Barred Rocks are a common variety.
7. Sebright: Sebrights are a bantam breed known for their broody behavior. Despite their small size, they can be dedicated mothers.
8. Australorp: Australorps are known for their egg-laying capabilities, but some individuals may also display broody tendencies. They are generally friendly and docile.
9. Brahma: In addition to Buff Brahmas, other varieties of Brahmas, such as Light and Dark Brahmas, are known to be good brooders.
10. Speckled Sussex: Speckled Sussex chickens are a popular breed known for their attractive appearance, friendly temperament, and ability to sit on and hatch eggs. 

Caring for a Broody Hen

Caring for a broody hen involves providing the right environment, a safe place, and support to ensure her well-being and the success of hatching eggs if desired.

1. Isolation: Consider isolating the broody hen in a separate area with her own food and water to minimize disruptions from the flock and reduce stress.
2. Comfortable Nesting area: Ensure the nesting boxes are comfortable with clean, dry bedding. Adding some fake eggs or golf balls can trick the hen into thinking she has a full clutch to incubate.
3. Regular Breaks: While it’s essential to allow the hen to spend time on the nest, encourage her to take short breaks to eat, drink, and relieve herself. This is crucial for her health.
4. Appropriate Nutrition: Provide a well-balanced diet rich in nutrients, such as layer feed, to support the hen’s health and the development of potential chicks.  Adding extra protein with mealworms or sunflower seeds may benefit a broody hen. 
5. Fresh Water: Providing fresh water for your hen is essential to prevent dehydration.
6. Egg Collection: If you do not intend to allow the broody hen to hatch eggs, removing them promptly is a great way to discourage further broodiness.
7. End Broodiness: If broodiness becomes a problem or if you don’t want baby chicks, there are methods to break broodiness that we’ll discuss shortly. 

Health Concerns

A broody hen is determined to sit on a clutch of eggs to hatch them. While broodiness is a natural behavior in hens, there are potential health issues that can arise if a hen sits for an extended period beyond the typical 3-week or 21-day incubation period if she is sitting on unfertilized eggs.

Weight Loss: Broody hens may refuse to leave the nest to eat and drink, leading to weight loss and potential nutritional deficiencies. This can weaken the mama hen and impact her overall health.

Dehydration: A broody hen may not leave the nest frequently enough to stay adequately hydrated. Dehydration can lead to various health issues, including organ failure.

Mites and Lice: Prolonged sitting can make a hen more susceptible to mites and lice infestations. The constant contact with the nesting material and lack of dust bathing can contribute to the problem.

Vent Pasting: If a broody hen is not taking regular breaks to defecate, her vent (cloaca) may become pasted shut with droppings. This can lead to infection and discomfort.

Weakened Immune System: The stress of extended broodiness can weaken a hen’s immune system, making her more susceptible to infections and diseases.

Breaking a Broody Hen

Breaking a broody hen refers to the process of discouraging a hen from sitting on and incubating eggs. Broodiness is a natural instinct in hens, but sometimes it’s not desirable for various reasons. Here are some methods to break a broody hen.

1. Remove Eggs Regularly
   • One of the simplest methods is to remove the eggs from the nest as soon as possible. Broody hens are determined to incubate eggs, so denying them access to eggs can help break the cycle.
2. Isolation
   • Separate the broody hen from the nest and the other hens. This can be done by placing her in a separate cage or coop with no nesting material. Make sure she has food and water, but don’t provide a comfortable nesting environment.
3. Change the Nesting Material
   • Replace the comfortable nesting material with uncomfortable or less suitable material. This can make the nest less appealing to the broody hen.
4. Provide Distractions
   • Keep the broody hen busy with activities. Scatter treats or grains around her area to encourage foraging and distract her from the broody behavior.
5. Use a Broody Box
   • Using a dog crate or a broody box is designed to discourage broodiness. Using a cage with a wire bottom helps to prevent the hen from sitting comfortably.
6. Vet Consultation
   • If the broodiness persists and becomes a problem, consult with a poultry veterinarian for advice. In some cases, hormonal treatments may be recommended.

It’s important to note that not all methods work for every hen, and success may vary depending on the individual bird. Additionally, breaking a broody hen should be done with care to ensure the hen’s well-being. Monitor her closely during the process to ensure she remains healthy and stress-free.

Is Broodiness Contagious?

Chicken broodiness is not contagious in the way that diseases or infections are, but it is catching.  The behavior of broody hens can sometimes influence other hens in the chicken coop. If one hen is broody, her behavior might inspire other hens to also exhibit broody behavior. This can happen when genetics, hormones, and environmental conditions line up. 

Does the Time of Year Affect Broodiness?

Yes, the time of year can indeed have an impact on chicken broodiness.  Hens are generally more prone to go broody during the warm weather. This is likely because these seasons provide optimal conditions for raising chicks—warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours. On the other hand, broodiness tends to decrease during the fall and winter months. Colder temperatures and shorter daylight hours can discourage broodiness.

Bottom Line

Broodiness is a natural and fascinating aspect of a hen’s behavior. Understanding the signs of broodiness and providing appropriate care is essential for the well-being of your backyard flock. Whether you’re planning to hatch chicks or simply managing broodiness to maintain a harmonious backyard coop, being attuned to your chickens’ behaviors ensures a happy and healthy environment for both hens and their caretakers.

What questions do you have? Let me know in the comments!

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Related Posts:
Backyard Chickens 101
Can a Chicken Lay Eggs Without a Rooster?
Choosing the Best Egg Laying Hens
What Time of Day do Chickens Lay Eggs?
How to Store and Preserve Fresh Eggs
When Do Chickens Begin Laying Eggs?
What is Chicken Grit?

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