The term broody might not be an everyday word used in the average person’s vocabulary, but for anyone who owns chickens it is a well-known poultry tendency. Broodiness is a behavior a hen can exhibit ...

We all know the typical broody signs – hen sitting puffed up on the nest, flattened like a pancake to cover all the eggs, refusing to come off and nipping at any intrusive hand with an ominous cluck.

If you are looking to place newly hatched chicks with a hen, you could save yourself some work and give them a more natural experience. Introducing chicks to a broody hen requires some guidance but ...

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. You become adept at combing your fingers through feathers. I’ve got a Buff Cochin hen on my lap who is a giant, ...