We are in the pacific northwest and have our 4 pullets (born in april) 100% free ranging...we were gone for four days and had a friend come and check on them daily. anyway, she said they were just fine (which im doubting if she actually checked now)....we come home well after dark and our three ladies are were they normally roost- and thats what gave me a heart attack....just three! I grab a flashlight, tell hubby there are only three and go on a mad search for who knows what. anyway, I find our missing girl, a black australorp butted up to the house in a corner (laundry room so good heat) and not wanting to go anywhere. Could she be broody? This is my first little flock so I have NO idea what I should be doing. Im totally ok with finding her a hatching egg, but as Ive only been home a few hours Im just not sure. However they always roost in the same place, and I did find eggs in our nestbox. We have decided to let nature do its thing and not supplement with heat or lighting. She looked just fine, no cuts or any blemishes. but because she was behind a very large wild rosemary bush I didnt press in too much and probe for eggs. Any insight to what I might be dealing with? I know australorps can get broody, but I do want to make sure she's ok too.