A Complete Guide to Broody Hens: Signs Causes and Care
One of the more exciting aspects of raising chickens in your backyard is dealing with broody hens. Broody hens display a complete behavioral reset. From an owners perspective, a hen’s broodiness tells her to brood. This change in the behavioral dynamic creates a lot of enjoyment for some, as hens can naturally incubate eggs, though some may find it upsetting as a broody hen puts a stop to all egg production for the entire duration of her brood. There are benefits and problems that can come from a broody hen, and knowing and understanding the signs and causes of broodiness can create the best environment for the flock and brood.
What is a Broody Hen?
A broody hen is a hen that becomes fixated on brooding over a set of multiple eggs, as defined by a change in behavioral pattern. While in this state, brooding is prioritized over all other activities such as feeding and roaming. Purposefully laying and brooding becomes a hens primary, if not exclusive, purpose. Domesticated hens have been seen to brood with a high frequency visiting nesting boxes. There is some genetic relation to brood patterns and predictably, some breeds brood more than others.
The main reason an animal becomes broody is because of hormones. Changes in a hen’s hormones create signals in her brain that tell her to protect and incubate eggs. A hen will even exhibit motherly behavior toward a nest if no eggs are present. Many hens will brood on a bare nest for weeks on end. It is near impossible to halt a nature driven behavior cycle.
Broody hen symptoms
Knowing the symptoms of broodiness helps in managing a hen. Broody hens experience both behavioral and physical changes. These signs become evident when you know what to look for. Generally, multiple symptoms will be present on a single hen.
Staying in the nest box
Broody hens usually exhibit nest box behavior by spending long hours in the nesting box. For the most part, the only time the nesting box will be vacated is to eat, drink, or relieve themselves. For some hens, they will even sleep in the nesting box. Aggression may follow if the nesting box is accessed by other hens. This is part of her maternal behavior.
Puffed body
Most hens that go broody will temporarily stop laying eggs. They redirect their energy from laying to brooding. If a typically active layer starts to take on the behavior of a broody hen, it’s usually a good indication she is going broody. For people who are new to chicken keeping, it can be a little shocking. There is usually a full return to normal egg production after the broody phase.
Decreased eg production
Typically broodiness will cause hens to puff up feathers to cover eggs. For added warmth, a hen may flatten her body against the nest. These behaviors are indicative of the process of incubation. This will also cause hens to look round and larger, serving as another sign of broodiness.
Puff and Poison
Protectiveness over a nest is a natural behavior for hens. Approaches to the box may be met with pecks, puffed up feathers, or growls. Wings may be used in a defense mechanism to scare away the source of a threat. This is a natural defense for protecting eggs in the wild. Even friendly hens will exhibit defensive behavior while in a broody state.
Broody Clucking Sounds
When hens go broody, they develop a specific sound. Although hens are already noisy in their own right, a broody hen’s sounds will take on a more serious tone. They use their unique sounds to protect and warn. Long-time chicken and poultry keepers have the best ear to the ground for sounds and can usually spot a broody hen just by listening to their flock.
So Why Do Hens Go Broody?
It is easy to suggest that broodiness is a hormonal instinct that has likely already built up in nature. There is likely a need to brood to reproduce and protect. Although there have been changes in the industry, chickens that were previously left to their own devices have retained the original behaviors. Some breeds have the propensity to brood more than others. This is usually done because selective breeding has not stripped them of their instincts.
As the seasons progress from winter to spring to summer, the climate changes and broodiness can occur more. Hens can also go broody if they have an already established nesting area that has eggs (real or fake) in their nests or laid golf balls.
Broodiness in chickens is influenced by genetics. Historically, some breeds would be valued for their natural ability to hatch chicks. These breeds would be more likely to brood, while breeds that were selected for high egg production would brood less. The broodiness of a breed helps a flock owner to understand whether their flock is going to become broody.
Chicken Breeds Known for Broodiness
Some chicken breeds are much more likely to brood than other breeds. These hens tend to be caring mothers that raise chicks successfully. Chicken owners that desire broodiness in their hens tend to keep broody breeds. On the other hand, chicken owners that desire high egg production typically choose breeds that do not brood.
Silkie Chickens
Silkies are famous for being one of the most broody chicken breeds. These chickens are excellent mothers that will hatch other mothers’ eggs. These birds are very calm and are especially great for young families. Silkies can brood many times a year.
Cochin Chickens
Cochins are another example of a very broody breed that has a calm and kind disposition. Once chicks are hatched, these chickens will effectively cover eggs. These birds are all also very calm and friendly. This is why many chicken owners prefer these breeds.
Orpington Chickens
Some owners will notice that Orpington hens are both productive and brood. After chicks hatch, these hens are caring and protective. These chickens are excellent for beginner chicken owners and backyard flocks due to their calm demeanor and self-sufficient protective instincts.
Sussex Chickens
Sussex hens are capable mothers because they can be broody. While Sussex broodiness is not as extreme as that of Silkies, they can develop a broody nesting instinct. Sussez chickens thrive in virtually any climate and any habitat. They are a dual-purpose breed, helpful for egg and meat production. Different Sussex hens can have a different related instincts.
Benefits of a Broody Hen
There are several advantages of broodiness that make poultry keeping easier. Broody hens can help you avoid the costs of an incubator by brooding and hatching the eggs themselves. They also minimally require any human assistance during the mothering process because the hen completely cares for the chicks post-hatching. It can be a beautiful experience for flock owners.
Conveniently, hens can incubate the eggs perfectly without any of the costs that come with owning an incubator. All energy and work that comes with egg care and turning is done by the hen herself. Hens are also remarkably capable of regulating the correct humidity and temperature that are required for proper egg care.
A broody hen teaches her chicks how to learn all of the essentials of survival including how to be careful of their surroundings to avoid dangers and how to drink and eat. Hens also assist their chicks in being accepted to the flock as the mother hen teaches her chicks how to be a member of a flock. Hens naturally care for their chicks by protecting and warming them and this makes for an amazing experience to watch for chicken owners.
Dominantly, broodiness is a beneficial instinct that many chicken owners like witnessing firsthand. Chick survival rates also become higher and are assisted by the constant care of the mother hen and the bonding that is fostered by mental communication of the hen directed towards her chicks.
Broodiness Challenges
Although broodiness has its advantages, it has also introduced new challenges for the management of poultry. Broodiness results in a complete cessation of a hen’s egg production and may reduce the overall productivity of a poultry flock. Some hens may lose considerable weight as they become increasingly reluctant to eat or drink adequate amounts of food and water.
Broodiness has an impact on nesting availability for the laying flock. For birds in a confined space such as a coop, it can also result in newly developed aggression, stress, and discord among the flock. Broodiness can even cause hens to become very aggressive and territorial.
Broodiness also has the negative impact of weight loss. Broody hens stay sedentary and thus lose the normal frequency of a hen’s eating. Other negative effects of broodiness that may become apparent along with weight loss are increased susceptibility of the hen to mite infestions from prolonged and excessive sedentary habits. For these reasons, broodiness should be managed and monitored to ensure that the hen’s health status remains optimal.
How long do broody hens stay broody?
Usually, a hen that has decided to breed will stay broody for the natural incubation period of eggs, which is 21 days. However, if she is sitting on an empty nest or trying to incubate eggs that are not fertilized, she may stay broody for a longer, unspecified period. It is normal for a hen that has gone broody and has no eggs to sit on the nest for a few weeks at a time.
The duration of broodiness will depend on the breed of the hen and the environment that she is in. For certain breeds, some are more stubborn and will resist interruption of their broodiness more. Once eggs hatch, the focus of the hen will no longer be incubating and she will care for the chicks. If the broodiness is not of a long duration, the hen may return to her normal behavior on her own. For some hens, the return to normal may be done gradually, while for others, it may be abrupt.
Caring for a Broody Hen
Having a broody hen back to their normal self again is an indication of the care that the hen is provided with. Being a broody hen does not mean that the hen should be sitting all the time. The broody hen will need access to food and water, and this should be done everyday. It is obvious that a broody hen is incubating, and it is important to look after her to prevent any health issues.
Provide Nutritious Food
Hens that are provided with eggs to incubate should be provided with a balanced diet. Placing food within proximity to the nesting area will be an easy way for the hen to access food while doing breaks. Most owners find that the food that is given in most layer feeds is great for broody hens. The owners may supplement the food with snacks that are protein based. It is great food to provide for broody hens.
Maintain Access to Fresh Water
Dehydration will weaken a broody hen because she will not leave the nest to get water. It is important to place a water container nearby to the hen. Make sure to check water levels daily, particularly when dehydrating weather is present. Water supports the hen and the eggs developing inside her.
Maintain the Cleanliness of the Nest
Provide a clean nesting area to a hen to ensure that there is less of a risk for parasites and bacteria. Replace the nesting area to the hen to minimize the stress. Make the nesting area out of soft straw or pine straw to provide the hen with the utmost comfort. Increase the success of the hen’s hatch with clean nesting areas because of the improved hygiene and hen’s health. Additionally, clean nesting areas and improved hygiene reduces the bad smells that the coop may provide.
Look for Parasites
Broody hens stay in one area for a long time, increasing the likelihood of them getting body critters such as mites and lice. Look for critters in and on the outer skin/feathers. These may also be indicators of parasites. Pay attention to excessive scratching and loss of feathers. Quickly solve a parasite issue with safe poultry products.
Breaking broodiness
Not every poultry keeper wants to have chicks or to have their egg production be interrupted. Because of this, with the hormonal impulse to brood, there are several safe and effective solutions that can help.
Often Remove Eggs
An empty nesting box which discourages the hen’s desire to brood, therefore, eggs should be collected from the nesting boxes several times a day. Continued broodiness of the hen is caused by leaving eggs in the box. Taking the eggs from the nesting box multiple times during a day is the most effective during the initial beginning stages.
Restrict Nesting Access
If you want to control where your hens nest, you have to modify their ability to access those areas. You can make use of your nesting boxes during the day. The earlier you start this control, the better.
Broody Breaker Cage
The Broody Breaker Cage is another useful tool. The cage has an air bottom design allowing for cooling and airflow to the hens. The Broody Breaker Cage is something that many poultry keepers use.
Distraction
If you take your hens to a free ranging area or a new environment, it can break their broodiness. Also, interaction with the rest of the flock can help bring them back to normal. Broodiness can also be broken by treats and toys.
Store-Bought Eggs
Hens brood to hatch eggs, but first, the eggs need to be able to hatch. Store bought eggs are not a viable option for this, and they often sit in the refrigerator during their development. They can be hatching a new chick if you buy fertile eggs from a hatchery.
Some poultry owners prefer to let broody hens hatch their own chicks rather than using an artificial incubator. For these owners who source their fertile eggs online or at a nearby farm, the eggs should not be very old, and should be clean and properly stored. With a broody hen and a little incentive, these eggs can be hatched at owner convenience. This technique for natural hatching is used to expand flocks at greater convenience, and is growing in popularity among backyard poultry growers.
Broody Hen Comparison Table
| Chicken Breed | Broodiness level | Mothering Ability | Egg Production |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silkie | Very High | Excellent | Low-cost |
| Cochin | High-quality | Excellent | The Medium |
| Orpington | The Medium | Very Good | Good |
| Sussex | The Medium | Good | Good |
| Leghorn | Low-cost | Weak | Excellent |
| Rhode Island Red | Low to Medium | Moderate | High-quality |
Can A Broody Hen Survive Without A Rooster?
A broody hen is able to live without a rooster. Even if the eggs are not fertilized, she will still be broody. Without a rooster the eggs will not be fertile and chicks won’t hatch. Some backyard chicken keepers only keep hens with no roosters to produce eggs. Broodiness can still occur in these cases.
Advantages of Having a Rooster with Broody Hens
Keep a rooster around broody hens to improve flock behavior. Fertilized egg allows hens hatch chicks without incubators. Roosters are also a source of protection and can help to maintain social order. This natural system is very effective in free-range environments. This traditional method is preferred by many small farmers.
