[8doubles]

Do hens get less broody as they get older, if so at about what age do they decide to give up the sitting on eggs buisiness . I know each hen has its own foibles and you shouldn`t generalise too much but i`m wondering how long to leave it before putting a few fertile eggs under one to keep egg production ticking along as the old hens laying tails off.

How old is your eldest broody ?

[snowflake]

I think in general if they can lay a clutch of eggs they will go broody.
half mine are silkies so broody machines my silkie X's are the same think my oldest ones were 5/6 years old still laying and being broody. what breed or X breeds do you have some may be different?

[8doubles]

We have just the 3 hens all about 18 months old , a rhode island red , light sussex who is showing signs of broodiness and a speckled who has been broody most of her life but is laying ok.
We let them free range most of the time but need to keep the flock as small as possible so we still have a lawn left.

All the chicks i`ve reared in the past have been from incubators so my knowledge  of broodies is limited.Might let the speckled sit half a dozen next year, if she`s in the mood.

Thanks for the info Snowflake.          

[joyfull]

Putting eggs under a broody is a lot easier than using an incubator, no turning, or temperature or humidity to worry about or even power cuts. Plus no heat lamp and they can mix with the other hens at a far earlier age as mum will defend them - mine defends her little brood against a 14 month old mastiff 

[Vember]

My oldest two broodies are pure Light Sussex and they will be 6 at the end of this year
One has just raised me 4 Runners and the other is looking after some calls at the moment


They'll go again later in the summer Cassy did the turkey for me in september last year


Sarah