BROODY HEN Meaning and
Definition
-
A broody hen refers to a female chicken that exhibits the natural and instinctive behavior of wanting to incubate eggs and raise chicks. When a hen becomes broody, she becomes fully committed and dedicated to the task of nesting and hatching eggs. She may sit on her nest for extended periods of time, refusing to leave, and may also pluck her feathers to create a warm and cozy environment for the eggs.
The broody hen's behavior is driven by hormonal changes that prompt her to seek out a suitable nesting spot and accumulate a clutch of eggs for incubation. During this time, she may exhibit distinctive signs such as puffing up her feathers, clucking softly, and adopting a protective posture over her eggs. She will diligently keep the eggs warm by sitting on them, known as "brooding," and turn them regularly for even heat distribution.
Once the eggs hatch, the broody hen will become a caring and attentive mother, overseeing the chicks' growth, providing warmth, and guiding them in search of food and water. This innate instinct to nurture and raise offspring is a characteristic feature of many breeds of domestic chickens.
Broody hens serve an important role in poultry reproduction, as they help perpetuate and maintain the chicken population. However, in some cases, broodiness can disrupt egg production and commercial breeding operations, as broody hens often cease laying eggs during their brooding phase.
Common Misspellings for BROODY HEN
- vroody hen
- nroody hen
- hroody hen
- groody hen
- beoody hen
- bdoody hen
- bfoody hen
- btoody hen
- b5oody hen
- b4oody hen
- briody hen
- brkody hen
- brlody hen
- brpody hen
- br0ody hen
- br9ody hen
- broidy hen
- brokdy hen
- broldy hen
Etymology of BROODY HEN
The word "broody hen" is formed by combining the adjective "broody" and the noun "hen".
The term "broody" dates back to the early 18th century and originally referred to a hen that was inclined to sit on and incubate her eggs in order to hatch them. It comes from the Old English word "brogden" which means "to brood" or "to hatch". The word "brood" itself derives from the Proto-Germanic root "brōdōną", meaning "to keep warm" or "to nurse".
The noun "hen" comes from the Old English word "henn" which refers to a female bird or fowl. It is related to the Middle Dutch word "henne" and the Old High German word "henna".
Similar spelling words for BROODY HEN
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
