Behavior

[Zobot0110]

I got my first ever hens in August. They started laying in January. No problems. But now two hens- a Maran and an olive egger- started having some issue about the nest boxes. Sitting in there. Squawking . Hours. Now they aren’t laying eggs. Just sitting in there for hours. If I take them out they just continue going around yard squawking to go back in nest box. What is happening and what can I do?

 

[Livia Ammon]

Could they be broody? Broodys tend to make unusual noises like chirping and sounds I can only describe as chortling. They also like to stay on the nest on top of as many eggs as they can find. If you put a golf ball in front of them and they tuck it underneath them, they’re probably broody.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Do they stay on the nest at night? If they fluff up or flatten out and get a faraway look in their eyes, and especially if they stay on the nest overnight two nights running, they're probably broody.