chrismahon
Well-known member
Our hens seem to have gone broody all at the same time, which is strange. Some of them do it silently, hoping you don't notice? No clucking or raised feathers, they just sit there looking as though they are just going to lay an egg, but taking ages about it. Noticed the other day though that if you put an egg next to them in the box they will gently roll it towards themselves and tuck it under a wing. Anyone else tried this?
All our TNN's went broody simultaneously. They are the least 'tinkered with' of all the chickens we have so I think their basic instincts remain pretty much intact. It coincided with a full moon. I have speculated that it is to hatch their chicks with maximum night light so perhaps they can feed longer or be guarded better. Don't know? Anyone else noticed this with other breeds or have any ideas why it might be?
We also had an Orpington go broody and a Wyandotte who has never gone broody in 4 years -only lasted a few hours though as she was caught out by the egg. But interestingly, she was spotted and broken early and she continued to lay. She was in the nest box today just for a few minutes.
All our TNN's went broody simultaneously. They are the least 'tinkered with' of all the chickens we have so I think their basic instincts remain pretty much intact. It coincided with a full moon. I have speculated that it is to hatch their chicks with maximum night light so perhaps they can feed longer or be guarded better. Don't know? Anyone else noticed this with other breeds or have any ideas why it might be?
We also had an Orpington go broody and a Wyandotte who has never gone broody in 4 years -only lasted a few hours though as she was caught out by the egg. But interestingly, she was spotted and broken early and she continued to lay. She was in the nest box today just for a few minutes.
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