broodiness

[dominique]

Hello all!
had first egg from my 26 week old bantam plymouth rock today - tiny! But congratulations!
However, question is : only have two others, and understand this affects certain breeds and/or strains (?) but was expecting someone to go broody this summer...perhaps its my limited non-functional breeds or is it because having a male around makes hens go broody? Purely a scientific question- I have no cockerel around anyway- was just expecting a huffing puffing bird on the nest as remembered from my childhood when we had loads!
D
breeds are welsummer and dominique - both bantys

 

[foxy]

One dead cert I have found regarding broodies....you never have one around when you want one and when you don't... you'll find nest boxes stuffed full of growling, fluffed up, hormonal hens!!

 

[Davidd]

Hi, broodiness is due to hormonal changes - some breeds are very prone to going broody( pekins, silkies etc) and some very rarely (leghorns, Polands etc) A cockerel makes no difference and hens that go broody one year will not necessarily be broody the next or following year and vice -versa. So they may sit next season.
Regards, David