A broody hen is a hen exhibiting the sturdy intuition to incubate eggs and lift chicks. This conduct manifests via persistent sitting on a nest, even with out eggs, and aggressive protection of the nest website. The period of broodiness can fluctuate, lasting from a number of weeks to months if left unaddressed. This maternal drive is a pure a part of avian copy. For instance, a hen would possibly keep on a nest repeatedly, leaving solely briefly to eat and drink.
Understanding broodiness is significant for poultry keepers, as extended unproductive sitting can negatively influence a hen’s well being, resulting in weight reduction and decreased egg manufacturing. Moreover, if the purpose is to not hatch chicks, the conduct can disrupt the laying cycle of your entire flock. Traditionally, broodiness was important for pure chick rearing earlier than synthetic incubation grew to become widespread. Recognizing and managing this intuition is a key element of accountable poultry administration.
