Are there signs a Hen is going broody?

[Biddieacres]

I wanted to ask because I noticed my hen started sleeping in the her nesting box instead of the roost. I didn't get a chance to gather eggs today so I went in tonight and tried to get the egg out from under her. She made a crazy sound. Not sure if it was a get away sound or a startled sound.

Is this the beginning signs of a broody?

She did this two night ago but then went back to the roost. Tonight, back in the nest.

This is the EE girl in my avatar doing this. She will be 1 May 6th if that means anything.

 

[Southernbelle]

Yes - sounds like it

- spending all their time on the nest, especially at night
- makes growling sounds at you when you reach under her
- huge smelly broody poos
- quit laying eggs

Congratulations! What are you going to hatch?

I love broodies

 

[Southernbelle]

Saw your edit

If she were truly broody she wouldn't roost with the others - she'd sleep in the nest. She may be thinking about it and "practising" so she may go full-broody soon.

 

[Biddieacres]

Haha yes, that is what I thought...it seemed like she is practicing. This should be interesting! I only have enough room for 2 more.

Ideally, I would be so happy with a silkie and a buff orp. I just don't know where I would get only 2 fertile eggs of that specific breed. But we shall see.

 

[Biddieacres]

By the way, I saw you said "huge smelly broody poos"!!! This may be a silly question but...since they don't leave the nest, do they do those poos in the nest???

 

[DouglasPeeps]

They usually leave the nest 1 time a day to eat/drink and poo. Some days they don't seem to leave the nest. Yes, they are stinky poos

 

[Biddieacres]

Well it is official, she has been on her nest all day long. I am going to try to get some fertile eggs. Does anyone know where I can get 2 Buff Orp eggs????

 

[Biddieacres]

*UPDATED* to say that I got eggs!

 

[springchick91]

i had tought my chicken was going broody but i wont know cause my parents took the eggs from her and know i wont know cause this is the first time that she was on a nest and she was turning the ggs but she may never do it agen. the only reasion she had a clutch was becasue she hid the nest from us. whats teh chances she will with out having to not take her eggs