Using Broody Hens With Gail Damerow

 What triggers broodiness?

Broodiness is triggered by the hormone prolactin. The pituitary gland releases this hormone when day length increases.

Most hens therefore brood in spring or early summer. Some chickens may brood in late summer or early fall. Very few will brood at any time of year.

What signs indicate that a hen is broody?

To test a hen for broodiness, gently reach under her, as if to remove her eggs. A hen that’s thinking of brooding will puffs out her feathers, peck your hand, or growl at you.

Clucking is another sign of broodiness. Many hens don’t cluck until their eggs are ready to hatch. But some start clucking almost as soon as they start setting.

How should you care for a brooding hen?

Move her to a quiet place where she won’t be disturbed. The protective place should have these features:

• Isolated from other chickens
• Predator proof
• Well-ventilated
• Away from wind, rain, sun, and extreme temperatures
• Somewhat darkened
• Big enough for the hen to fully fit and turn around
• Tall enough for her to sit upright

My barn has four built-in 3-foot by 4-foot heated brooder boxes for raising chicks. With the heaters off, they are perfect for housing broody hens.

Each unit can accommodate a hen nesting in a back corner, with a feed and water toward the front. This set-up also offers plenty of room for chicks during their first few weeks.

How hard is it to move a broody hen?

Most broody hens are easy to move, especially if they’ve hatched chicks before. You want to move the hen and eggs — as quickly as possible — at night after dark. Then, leave her alone to get settled. Have feeders and drinkers already in place, and filled with enough to last at least a full day.

For a first-time broody, try to move the entire nest along with her, using something like a pet carrier. If she is not already nesting in the pet carrier, first move her into the pet carrier and put it where she started to brood. Once she settles down in the carrier, move it at night to a private place.