Barred Rock going broody or just lazy?

[Sherrirod]

I have a BR hen who is wanting to spend all day in a nest box. It is the box she usually lays in. She doesn't seem to be moody, I haven't seen any feathers missing on her chest and she does go up to roost at night. It doesn't seem broody, but just this week she started spending all day in her box, even after she lays her egg. She does leave occasionally but returns before too long. She doesn't poop in it or make a mess at all. If it matters, it is a roll out nest box so she doesn't get to collect eggs.

Should I fill it with bedding so the eggs stay put and see what happens? I would love it if she did go broody! I'd prefer it was in one of the several boxes I made specifically for brooding, but I could always address that later. Laying in the box all day is the only sign so far unless I'm missing something. Is it a clue or wishful thinking?

 

[wrathsfarm]

Doesn't sound broody at the moment but you could leave the eggs to encourage her.
When she starts spending nights in there and stops laying that's a good sign she may commit. I would suggest getting some fake eggs or mark what eggs you leave by drawing a circle all the way around to watch.

Good luck with your girl...

 

[FrostRanger]

I agree she might be trying to go broody, however just to cover our bases, is she being picked on by anyone? Does she have any parasites? Is she showing signs she might be sick? If all answers are no, then she probably is trying to go broody

 

[Squawkers]

I have heard that sick hens spend more time than usual in the nests, so maybe also keep an eye on her health.

 

[Sherrirod]

Oh, wow. I didn't think of her being sick. I sure hope not! I have no idea how to deal with that. She is one of the older set of hens. The older ones are more often the perpetrators than the victims. She rarely seems to be involved in any issues that I see. I can check for parasites...they're big enough to see right?? She moves around ok and I'm pretty sure she's eating. She normally takes treats from me. (I give treats 3 times a day. Anyone in the boxes at the time gets personal delivery.)

It's hard to tell one chickens poop from another. Mine move around on the roosts which makes it hard (I have a camera). I will pay special attention tomorrow. Anything else I can look for specifically?

 

[wrathsfarm]

When was her last molt? Could she be getting ready to molt and just feeling off because of it?

I've had hens that periodically just feel like hanging in the nest boxes for no other reason than they just feel like it. I caught one of my BRs actually snoozing all day and thought she might go broody after spending 1 night in the nest box, but the next day she just jumped out and that was that...back to normal.

 

[Sherrirod]

She won't molt until next year. She's 9 months old. That's probably all it is (just wanting to hang out.) I was just wondering if there is a preamble so to speak to going broody, or if it's just on or off.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Gotcha.... I misunderstood your first post when you said 'hen'. I assumed she was older than a year therefore could be ready to molt around this time of year.