[harefarm]

I have some 23 week old laying hybrids and am not sure if she wants to be broody or just likes sitting in the nest box. I knew my bantam was broody but this one just sits there looking at me with her wings flopped down and makes a very gentle sound. I know hybrids aren't supposed to go broody. I took her out of the nest box and when I went back in the house she was back in there again.

Can you give me your opinions please. I would be quite happy to give her some fertile eggs.

[taz08]

on the odd occasion they do

[Rosemary]

Not so odd - I had three broody last year and two so far this year 

[harefarm]

That is what I thought. But I am not sure she is broody or if it is the heat. There is no threatening behaviour from her, I would go so far to say there isn't an aggressive bone in her body. She just gives me 'the glare' and want to be in the nest box. She didn't even pull the eggs under her when I put some there to see what she would do, possibly because I was there (I did remove them after a couple of minutes and she hadn't moved them). She does make some really sweet soft noises though.

I have never had a hen behave like that. My bantam, when she went broody you knew it. She is doing well with her chicks though and lets me pick them up!

[Greenerlife]

I only have hybrids, and at least two  goes like you have described every summer.

[sokel]

I have had them go broody and hatch their own eggs and also take over a ducks nest and hatch them

[harefarm]

Sounds like she needs some fertile eggs then. Shame it is Friday tomorrow. I will need to get them in at the moment. In a few months I could use my own. I only have fertile bantam eggs already in the incubator and don't really want to take the chance on her with them. I will have to see what eggs are close to here.

[HesterF]

Mine aren't particularly aggressive broodies. They chuck at me a bit when I pick them up but that's it. And I've only just seen one rolling eggs back under her when I was trying to candle them tonight. I know others must have done it - one moved herself around quite a bit - but never in my presence before!

Good luck,

H

[harefarm]

Thank you for your replies. I was really unsure because she doesn't puff herself up and squawk at me when I go near. She is a very sweet natured bird. With her temperament I think she will probably make an excellent mum if she can do it (being a hybrid it will be taking a bit of a chance, not to say she will give up). I will give her a chance.