Ever wonder why your hen won’t leave the nest, and what to actually do about it?
In this episode, Dr. Blayne and Nikki dive into one of backyard chicken keeping’s most talked-about topics: broody hens. They break down the science behind broodiness, including the hormones prolactin and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) that trigger the behavior, and which breeds are most likely to go broody (looking at you, Silkies and Cochins).
From using a broody hen to hatch fertile eggs or adopt day-old chicks, to the full broody-breaking playbook: ice baths, dog crates, fans, and dark rooms, they cover it all. Dr. Blayne also weighs in on the role of diet and protein in broodiness, explains medicated chick starter and coccidiosis, and what’s happening inside a hen’s reproductive tract while she sits. Plus, a practical tip on checking for mites during broodiness that you won’t want to skip.
Whether you’re a first-time chicken keeper panicking in their DMs or a seasoned flock keeper, this one’s packed with helpful, vet-backed guidance.
Read more about the science behind broody hens: https://thepoultrydoc.com/articles/why-is-my-hen-broody-the-science-behind-the-sit-what-you-can-do-about-it/
0:00 Introduction & Why Broody Hens Are Trending in the DMs
0:02 What Is a Broody Hen? Signs & Behavior
0:03 The Hormone Science: Prolactin & Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP)
0:04 Which Breeds Go Broody Most (Silkies, Cochins, Orpingtons & More)
0:05 Why Some People Love It and Why Some Don’t
0:06 Your Options: Leave Her, Give Her Fertile Eggs, or Break Her
0:09 Using a Broody Hen as a Natural Incubator
0:10 Adopting Day-Old Chicks Under a Broody Hen
0:14 Broody Breaking: Methods That Actually Work
0:17 Diet, Protein & Treats – The Surprising Link to Broodiness
0:19 Broody Jail: Dog Crates, Fans & Beating the Summer Heat
0:21 Can Hens Go Broody in Winter?
0:21 Medicated Feed, Amprolium & Coccidiosis Explained
0:25 The Preen Gland (Uropygial Gland) & Chick Bonding Behavior
0:30 Mites & Immune Suppression During Broodiness
0:31 What Happens to the Reproductive Tract During Broodiness
0:34 Wrap-Up & Resources