11 year old EE gone broody and aggressive

[Padfoot22]

Hi, I’m down to only 2 hens because I’m getting ready to take a chicken business break after 10+ years. I’ve got an 11 year old EE that is broody and very aggressive. I also have a 3 year old black Moran that still lays eggs but can’t get in the coop because the EE attacks her if she tries. I tried putting the EE in a small dog cage but she started beating her head against the top and practically strangling herself to get out. I think she has mites now too from being in the nesting box for a week without dust baths. I finally was able to separate her from the nest and put her in a dust place and kept the Moran inside the coop. She’s screeching and very stressed but slowly calming down and bathing. There’s black feathers all over the coop where the two have been fighting at some point or another. What should I try now?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Can you devise a free-standing nest box? Even a large flowerpot on its side, or milk crate? Something that feels cozy.

Maybe line it with exactly what you have in the formal nest boxes, and any fake eggs, etc. that she’s used to.

Meanwhile, where’s the Maran laying now?

 

[Padfoot22]

I’m not sure where the Moran is laying eggs. I’ve been letting her out to free range at least every other day. There’s two possibilities but we have plenty of egg eaters around to pick them up before I do.
Would that free standing nest box be for the Moran?
Thanks!

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I’m not sure where the Moran is laying eggs. I’ve been letting her out to free range at least every other day. There’s two possibilities but we have plenty of egg eaters around to pick them up before I do.
Would that free standing nest box be for the Moran?
Thanks!

Yes, I think you’d have a much better chance of persuading a non-broody hen to use a different box than a broody!

Since she free-ranges, I assume that she has a hidden nest, since if a hen has an egg inside her, it’s got to get laid somewhere. And then, as you say, a critter gets it.

You might have to lock her in the run with the substitute nest box for a few days so that she starts using it, or she’ll probably just keep on laying in her hidden nest.

Have you tried breaking the broody in a separate small cage? (“broody jail”)

 

[Padfoot22]

Yes, I think you’d have a much better chance of persuading a non-broody hen to use a different box than a broody!

Since she free-ranges, I assume that she has a hidden nest, since if a hen has an egg inside her, it’s got to get laid somewhere. And then, as you say, a critter gets it.

You might have to lock her in the run with the substitute nest box for a few days so that she starts using it, or she’ll probably just keep on laying in her hidden nest.

Have you tried breaking the broody in a separate small cage? (“broody jail”)

I will try to put an outer nest box with a fake egg for the Moran. I tried putting the broody hen in a separate cage and she went crazy- banging her head against the top and screeching. I was afraid she’d hurt herself and knock everything out (food/water) if I left her there but wondered if I put a sheet or towel over it would she calm down.