Bald spot and "brooding" Australorp??

[aspendad]

We have black australorp, age 9 mos. Was laying fine. Last 24 hours, we noticed a major bald spot on her tummy area, probably 3-4 inches in diameter. She stayed in the nest box all night - she did not go to the roost bars with her fellow hens. When I tried to check her out, she fluffed all her feathers and gave a low coo-ing sound. She eventually hopped down and ate a bit. Nose, eyes and ears are clear. But something seems off.... any ideas?

AspenDad

 

[sourland]

As your thread title suggests, she has gone broody.

 

[CayleeMarie03]

She is probablt broody.