20 week old Hen sitting in next box for hrs

[Mazza1150]

Hi, I have a question about my 20 week old Hen who has been sitting in the next box all afternoon and I just went to shut them up for the night and shes still there. All the others are roosting. No evidence of broodyness before. She is a Light Sussex. I'm concerned either...she is broody and sitting on her eggs, or shes unwell and just staying in the box, or shes having an issue laying...? She looked around at me when I went to get her egg, but didn't expect her to still be there. She didn't make a sound or move when I gently patted her. Should I move her? And see if she will go up to roost? Its 7.30pm and dark and quite chilly tonight. In Alberta Ca. Just not encountered this before....appreciate any feed back if there's anyone with some advice or come across this before. Thank you.

 

[CluckerFamily]

She is new at laying, she may be trying to figure it out.
I would check her to make sure she isn't egg bound.
Is she at the bottom of the pecking order and she is choosing to be in the nesting box to stay away from others?
Tomorrow, I would take her out of the nesting box to see what she does.

 

[Mazza1150]

I wondered about that if she just couldn't find a spot, or was low on the totem pole, but she's been there since this afternoon, way before bed time. I even put some yummy treats out and she didn't move. I wonder if she's just figuring out laying like you say. I have a hard time telling who's who. they are all the same breed 5 hens and 1 rooster. I sit and watch them, but its hard to see distinguishing features sometimes!! Thank you so much for your response. I truly appreciate it. This is my first season with chickens.

 

[CluckerFamily]

If you can take her out tomorrow if she is still in the nesting box tomorrow morning. She should get out to drink and eat. Please let us know how it goes, if she goes on with her day, and then maybe comes back into the nesting box around the same time, or if she hops straight into the nesting box when you take her out.
What breed are they? Are they close to laying eggs?

 

[One Lucky Momma]

Mazza, welcome to the flock . Do you know for certIan she’s begun laying? Have you had to check a bird for a bound egg before this?
she sounds like she could be “practicing”. Mine did that a good bit early on. If she was sitting there looking purposeful she‘s probably just fine. Hard not to worry though. Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

An aside, telling birds of the same breed apart has been very difficult for me, too. It‘s good to know who’s who sometimes. I got small zip ties in primary colors and put one on everybody’s right ankle, using 4” ties. When I do this again, I’ll get 6”ties instead. There will be more waste lengthwise, but I’ve seen that when these smaller ones get dirty it’s hard to read the color.

 

[Mazza1150]

If you can take her out tomorrow if she is still in the nesting box tomorrow morning. She should get out to drink and eat. Please let us know how it goes, if she goes on with her day, and then maybe comes back into the nesting box around the same time, or if she hops straight into the nesting box when you take her out.
What breed are they? Are they close to laying eggs?

They are light Sussex, and there have been 2 eggs in the nest box consistently for 4-5 weeks now every day. I think there maybe at least 2 or 3 Hens laying as these guys don't lay every day apparently. I went back out and had a feel around to make sure there was no bleeding or partial egg, but nothing. She nipped at me, but didn't try to move. We lifted her out and she was sitting on 2 eggs. Checked her feet. Put her back into the main coop onto the floor, and she just sat straight back down, and didn't try to move or walk. I left her and will check in the morning to see if she is still there, or if shes getting up and moving around and getting on with normal chicken things. Thank you. I appreciate your input alot.

 

[Mazza1150]

Mazza, welcome to the flock . Do you know for certIan she’s begun laying? Have you had to check a bird for a bound egg before this?
she sounds like she could be “practicing”. Mine did that a good bit early on. If she was sitting there looking purposeful she‘s probably just fine. Hard not to worry though. Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

An aside, telling birds of the same breed apart has been very difficult for me, too. It‘s good to know who’s who sometimes. I got small zip ties in primary colors and put one on everybody’s right ankle, using 4” ties. When I do this again, I’ll get 6”ties instead. There will be more waste lengthwise, but I’ve seen that when these smaller ones get dirty it’s hard to read the color.

Thankyou, I thought about doing the zip tie thing, and may try with the 6" ones like you say. She was sitting on 2 eggs, and you could say she looked 'purposeful' and could very well be practicing. But it just seemed so odd to still be there while everyone was 'in bed'. When I moved her into the coop floor and put her down, she just stayed low and sat down and didn't get up. So i will see in the morning how she is. I so appreciate being on here and being able to get good advice from experience people. Thank you for taking the time.

 

[One Lucky Momma]

Good morning! Keep us posted.

 

[aart]

I too would mark her with a leg band.
If a bird is in a nest at night she gets put on the roost when I lock up.
Might have an egg drop as you move her(happened once) or under the roost.
Might want to also take a look at her vent to make sure there's no problem.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/