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Broody hens are a natural part of chicken keeping, but they can be confusing and frustrating if you don't understand what's happening.

In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, Jennifer Bryant and Carey Blackmon take a deep dive into broodiness—what causes it, how to recognize it, and what poultry keepers should do when a hen decides it's time to hatch chicks.

You'll learn about the hormonal changes that drive broody behavior, why some breeds are more likely to go broody than others, and how broodiness affects feed intake, body condition, egg production, and flock management. The discussion also covers practical strategies for managing broody hens, including when to encourage natural incubation, when to intervene, and science-based methods for breaking broodiness when necessary.

Whether you're dealing with your first broody hen or managing a flock of dedicated mothers, this episode will help you understand the biology behind the behavior and make informed decisions for your birds.

In this episode:

• Signs that a hen has gone broody
• The role of prolactin and reproductive hormones
• Breeds known for strong broodiness
• Natural incubation versus artificial incubation
• Health considerations during broodiness
• How to break a broody hen safely and effectively
• Managing broody hens in breeding and production flocks
• Common myths and misconceptions about broodiness

Join us as we explore one of the most fascinating instincts in poultry and discuss how to work with—or against—nature when a hen decides she wants to become a mother.

For more poultry education, visit PoultryNerdsPodcast.com.

Valley Hatchery is a proud sponsor of Poultry Nerds, find more at ValleyHatchery.com

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