Hens are female chickens. They lay eggs. After a hen has finished laying a clutch of eggs, she "goes broody." This means that her physiology, or the way her body works, changes. She stops laying eggs and instead cares for those in her nest. When a hen is broody she is very protective of her eggs. She will growl at anyone who tries to disturb her or her nest. This growl might not sound like that of a ferocious dog, but the sound lets those around her know that she does not want anyone to upset her eggs. The hen will also peck at anyone or anything that tries to .....