Knowing your hen’s broodiness is the key to dealing with a broody chicken. Being broody means that your hen is sitting on a nest of eggs with the intent to hatch them. This is a very serious undertaking for your hen, and she will not be moved easily. If you have ever tried to pick up a broody chicken, you know that they can be quite aggressive. This can be frustrating if you are trying to collect eggs from the nest or have no intention of hatching any chicks.
Before buying or adopting new chickens, be sure to do your research on the broodiness of different chicken breeds. Some breeds are more prone to going broody than others. If you already have a flock and don’t want any baby chicks, it’s best to avoid getting a broody chicken in the first place.
Check this broodiness chart for chicken breeds to get an idea of which ones are more likely to go broody.
| Chicken Breed | Picture | Size/Weight (lb.) | Broodiness | Check Here For Breed Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welsummer |
 |
6-9 | rarely broody | Welsummer Chicken (Eggs & Temperament) |
| Showgirl |
 |
1.8-2.8 | frequent brooder | Showgirl Chicken Breed Profile |
| Buff Brahma | 
|
8-10 for hens; 10-12 for roosters | occasionally broody | How to Raise Buff Brahma Chickens |
| Green Queen Chicken | 
|
4 for hens; 5 for roosters | rarely broody | Green Queen Chicken: The Breed That Lays Beautiful Green Eggs |
| Calico Princess | 
|
6-7 | occasionally broody | Calico Princess Chicken: The Ultimate Guide |
| Deathlayer | 
|
3.5 for hens; 5 for roosters | less likely to brood | Deathlayer Chicken: Meaning and Origin |
| Blue Laced Gold Wyandottes |
 |
6-7 for hens; 8-9 for roosters | seldom broody | Blue Laced Gold Wyandotte Chickens: Egg-laying, Broodiness, and Temperament |
| White Crested Black Polish | 
|
4-5 for hens; 5-7.5 for roosters | rarely broody | White Crested Black Polish: Breed Information |
| Red Star |
 |
8 | not broody | Red Star Chickens: Eggs, Height, Size, and Raising Tips |
| Jubilee Orpington |
 |
7-8 | broody | Jubilee Orpington Chicken: Eggs, Temperament and Raising Tips |
| Asian Black |  |
5-6 | rarely broody | Asian Black Chicken for Backyard Flock |
| Blue Copper Marans | 
|
7 | not broody | Blue Copper Marans: The History & Future of Marans Chickens |
| Polish Frizzle | 
|
4-5 | occasional brooder | Polish Frizzle Chicken Breed Profile |
There you have it, a quick guide to the broodiness of different chicken breeds.
Although it is normal for any hen to go broody from time to time, certain chicken breeds are more prone to it than others.
If you find yourself with a broody chicken, there are a few things you can do. The most common solution is to break the broodiness. This involves removing the hen from the nest and keeping her away from the eggs until she gives up on hatching them. This can be a difficult process. It may take a few tries before the hen is finally broken of her broodiness.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of breaking a broody chicken, you can always let her hatch the eggs. This is a more hands-off approach, but it does have its risks. It’s up to you to decide what is best for your flock.
Do you have any experience dealing with a broody chicken? Let us know.