Eva Hedin wrote:

>>Sure. Wild chickens lay a small clutch of eggs then brood them, like
>>other birds.
>>
>>
>>
>In normal condition I think that a hen needs, or wants a certain amount of
>eggs to stop laying new ones. When she has the appropriate amount she will
>start brooding them. When we snatch away her eggs she has no way of knowing
>when to stop. Light condition is important too. In Sweden at least their
>laying is controlled by electric lights. Most hen also stop laying eggs for
>a month or two even under industrial conditions. These modern hen don't
>brood even if they have enough eggs.
>

A little off-topic:

My heritage breed chickens will go broody sometimes.  This year two hens
raised 7 chicks and
another two raised 3.  This is out of a total of 15 hens.  They may be
getting triggered since all
the hens lay into the same nest, so the late ones each day are sitting
on 8-10 eggs.  I do supplement
light in the winter, giving them a 12-hour day.  My friends that let
their chickens have natural light
have them stop laying in November and start in February.

The surprising thing to me is that these two pairs of hens co-brooded
their eggs and chicks.
Makes sense; it's easier to stand the boredom and work of 3 weeks of
sitting if you have
company.

    Lynnet