What is a broody hen?

Broody hens are female chickens that exhibit a strong desire to sit on and hatch a clutch of eggs. When a hen becomes broody, she will often stop laying eggs, become very protective of her nesting area, and may even peck or attack other chickens who come near her.

During this time, a broody hen will sit on her nest for long periods of time, typically only leaving to eat, drink, and relieve herself. She will also pluck out feathers from her own breast to create a warm and comfortable environment for the eggs she is incubating.

Broodiness is a natural behavior in chickens and is often triggered by hormonal changes, the lengthening of daylight hours, or the presence of other broody hens in the flock. While broodiness can be a positive trait for those interested in hatching chicks naturally, it can also be problematic for egg production and flock dynamics.

If you do not want your hen to be broody, there are several methods you can use to discourage this behavior, such as removing eggs from the nest, providing a less comfortable nesting area, or simply waiting for the broody period to naturally pass.