Pronunciation: [sˈɛtɪŋ hˈɛn] (IPA) 
The term "setting hen" refers to a female bird, typically a chicken, that is brooding over her eggs, protecting them and keeping them warm until they hatch. The spelling of "setting hen" follows the standard English pronunciation rules, with the "e" pronounced as "eh" (/ˈsɛtɪŋ/), the "t" pronounced as a "t" sound (/hɛn/), and the stress placed on the first syllable. It is a common phrase used in agriculture and backyard farming.
A setting hen refers to a female chicken that is devoted to sitting on and incubating a clutch of eggs in order to hatch them. Also known as a broody hen, a setting hen expresses a natural instinct to nurture and care for her eggs until they hatch. This behavior typically occurs when a hen's maternal instincts are triggered or when she feels a strong hormonal drive to reproduce.
During the setting phase, the hen sits on the eggs for extended periods, keeping them warm and safe. She usually displays certain behaviors such as puffing up her feathers, producing specific vocalizations, and pecking or growling if approached or disturbed. This dedicated incubation process typically lasts around 21 days, which is the average time required for most chicken eggs to hatch. The setting hen rotates her eggs periodically, ensuring even warmth distribution for optimal incubation.
In more traditional rural settings, setting hens played a crucial role in poultry farming as they were relied upon to hatch eggs and grow a new generation of chickens. However, with the advent of artificial incubation techniques, the setting hen's role has diminished in modern commercial poultry production. Nonetheless, the term "setting hen" continues to be used to describe a brooding hen, highlighting its historical significance and association with natural reproduction in the world of poultry husbandry.
The etymology of the phrase "setting hen" can be traced back to the late Middle English period. The term "setting" here refers to the act of placing or sitting on eggs in order to incubate them. "Hen" simply indicates the female chicken. Together, the phrase "setting hen" refers to a hen that is brooding or incubating eggs by sitting on them. It specifically emphasizes the function or purpose of the hen in the context of egg incubation.
