Moody Broody

[Hen-Gen]

So then. How long after a hen has been in the "broody breaker" does it take before it resumes normal laying? I have a bunch of hens who all lay similar coloured eggs so I've never been able to answer this question.

 

[Marigold]

With my Sussex, Marigold, it used to take about two weeks before she started laying her next clutch, and about three or four weeks later, when her internal tally told her she had laid a nice lot, she would go broody again. Then about a week to get her off broody, so basically a six-week cycle in the summer, with laying about half of it. But she was a bit extreme, I expect it's not so bad with some other breeds. You can see why hybrids were developed!

 

[Hen-Gen]

Thanks Marigold. I have one ageing hen who is an incorrigible broody but is my only blue hen so I must get offspring from her next year. I hoped I would this year but I obviously saved eggs from her non-laying stage. I have never seen a blue barred hen in the flesh hence my desire to succeed next year.

 

[Marigold]

Don't take my word for it, from a sample of just one frustrated hen! She would have been a lovely mum, but I hadn't got room for chicks/growers, and wouldn't have wanted to deal with the inevitable boys.