Weird Chicken Behavior

[ctbicking]

Lately my chickens have been acting a little weird and I don't know why. They run around their coop aggreviated and flapping their wings a lot and clucking. Are they supposed to be acting this way, or is there something wrong?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

More information is needed, they could be broody, or they could need more exercise. To me it sounds like you have a couple of broody hens.

 

[ctbicking]

I'm new to "chickening" so please don't laugh, but what are broody hens?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Everyone is new at some point, so no laughing from me. A broody hen wants to sit and hatch eggs. It's a hormonal phase. They puff up, cluck repeatedly, screech when you try to remove them from the nest and are a bit obnoxious. They also stop laying eggs.

 

[appps]

A broody hen is one getting ready to hatch (or brood) chicks.

I can't say I've noticed mine flapping their wings and running around when broody though, for me I know they are because they spend all day in the nesting box and growl under their breaths when I try and move them.

It's hard to guess the reason without knowing a bit more about your flock.

How old are they?

How many are there?

How big is your run for them?

i did wonder if it's a young flock and maybe you've got a rooster or two trying for top spot.

 

[aart]

Good questions posted by appps........my younger birds run around flapping their wings all the time, older ones do it too but less frequently.
I think it's like us stretching our arms out.